Login | Sign Up
TechSideline

All Hokie, All the Time. Period. Presented by First Bank & Trust Company

The Lounge
◀ ▶
6
Joined: 10/07/1999
Posts: 710
Likes: 178
6GHokie
Founder

Make great mulch

Especially for garden beds with shrubs and trees. They are organic, break down slowly, have air pockets — all of which contribute to healthy soil. I remove mine from sidewalks, let the rest lay where they fall. They also linger on trees through the winter and are packed with seeds, providing an essential food source for chickadees, goldfinches, etc.
Posted: 03/07/2026 at 07:28 AM ET
(In response to this post by PhotoHokieNC)

Thread Replies (34)

Full Thread →
99,000 sweet gum tree balls in the yard 99,000 sweet gum balls
PhotoHokieNC • 03/06/26 04:52 PM ET
When I came home for breaks in College...my Dad would point to a pile of
Tuckahokie • 03/07/26 07:34 AM ET
You spent most of your breaks at VT, didn't you? TIC**
MP4VT2004 • 03/07/26 08:08 AM ET
Make great mulch ◄
6GHokie • 03/07/26 07:28 AM ET
Be glad you don’t have black walnut trees.**
scoop76cs • 03/07/26 06:39 AM ET
This past fall was a HUGE black walnut crop. (Same with all nut trees)**
Galenahokie • 03/07/26 10:12 AM ET
Obviously....**
HokieGator • 03/06/26 11:16 PM ET
A quick Google gave me the answer, from AI it says
VaTechie • 03/06/26 10:47 PM ET
Took me an hour to pick up ours. Cost: $0**
PhotoHokieNC • 03/06/26 11:43 PM ET
fair enough, I rather spend 65 dollars to not bend over
VaTechie • 03/07/26 12:54 AM ET
You know you're not done, right?**
Hokerer • 03/07/26 12:13 AM ET
I left the bucket in the yard. Each time TSO and I take Jessie
PhotoHokieNC • 03/07/26 09:26 AM ET
I will say as a kid I had one grass cutting customer with them
VaTechie • 03/06/26 10:43 PM ET
30 inches of snow in the yard, 30 inches of snow in the yard....**
MAHokie69 • 03/06/26 10:04 PM ET
Me neither PHNC, and I HATE them. I was all "proud" of myself for buying->
HOKIERIT • 03/06/26 07:59 PM ET
Ugh that is miserable. I think the Harvey Updyke route is your only choice.**
MP4VT2004 • 03/06/26 07:12 PM ET
They do a good job becoming wedged in On Cloud running shoe tread.
EDGEMAN • 03/06/26 06:16 PM ET
We used to have fights with them as kids. They look like they can do some
Coach McGuirk • 03/06/26 05:00 PM ET
I did the same, but they do hurt when they hit your face**
VaTechie • 03/06/26 10:41 PM ET
Always called them "gumballs"..NOT something you want to walk on barefoot**
HOKIERIT • 03/06/26 08:04 PM ET
Cut the offending maple tree(s) down. **
RoswellGAHokie • 03/06/26 05:00 PM ET
NOT Maples..Sweetgum trees. They grow huge and have soft wood!**
HOKIERIT • 03/06/26 08:00 PM ET
You are correct. Thought sweetgums were a subset of maples.
RoswellGAHokie • 03/06/26 08:43 PM ET
I wouldn't have known. I LIKE Maple trees. "Gumball Trees" ..not so much!**
HOKIERIT • 03/07/26 08:24 AM ET
And there I was, about to cut down all our maples.**
PhotoHokieNC • 03/06/26 11:46 PM ET
Not on our property - a commercial landscape supply yard next door.**
PhotoHokieNC • 03/06/26 05:03 PM ET
Ditto sort of. At least, not on our property,**
HOKIERIT • 03/06/26 08:00 PM ET
Put some shade cloth up at an angle and let the roll off back to their
HokieDan95 • 03/06/26 05:43 PM ET
And rob myself of an opportunity to learn from the Sweet Gum Tree Academy?**
PhotoHokieNC • 03/06/26 05:45 PM ET
Well I know a guy that knows a guy I'm just saying**
HokieDan95 • 03/06/26 07:03 PM ET
the guy who poisoned the Auburn University’s Toomer’s Corner oak trees?**
VaTechie • 03/06/26 10:39 PM ET
Some gumba, I bet**
PhotoHokieNC • 03/06/26 07:08 PM ET
Took care of ours with a Stihl MS-260**
Hokerer • 03/06/26 05:00 PM ET
I took out a couple at my old house, these I can't go after.**
HOKIERIT • 03/06/26 08:02 PM ET
Well, not with a chainsaw, anyway....**
MP4VT2004 • 03/06/26 08:20 PM ET