By Laura Myers
In the fall, sweetgum trees often get a bad rap in Arkansas. Their spiky seed balls—those hard little “gumballs” that cover yards and sidewalks—can be a real headache. But while many homeowners see them as a nuisance, sweetgum trees actually have a lot of overlooked benefits.
For starters, they’re tough trees that thrive in heavy Arkansas clay soils where other trees struggle. They grow fast, provide great shade, and put on a beautiful fall show with red, orange, and even deep maroon leaves in the right conditions. According to the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture, sweetgums do especially well in moist, low-lying areas and make strong, long-lived shade trees.
But there’s more to sweetgums than just looks. The tree’s sap—called storax—has been used for centuries in traditional medicine. It has natural antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties, and was once used to treat everything from cuts to coughs.
Modern research backs this up. A 2015 medical review found that sweetgum trees contain shikimic acid, a compound used to produce Tamiflu, a common antiviral drug for treating influenza. While most commercial shikimic acid today comes from star anise, sweetgum is a potential alternative source—and it grows abundantly right here in Arkansas.
Beyond that, sweetgum extracts have shown promise in fighting drug-resistant bacteria like MRSA, and may have antioxidant, antifungal, and blood pressure-lowering effects. They’re even being studied as natural pest control agents.
So, while the gumballs might be annoying, they come from a tree with some pretty impressive qualities. Whether you’re dealing with one in your yard or just passing by a towering sweetgum in an Arkansas park, it’s worth appreciating what this native tree brings to the table.
Laura Myers volunteers with Garland County Master Gardeners of the UofA Div. of Agriculture, Cooperative Ext. Service. Master Gardeners pool skills and resources to improve home horticulture, stimulate interest in plants and gardening, and encourage beautification.
