Sweet Gum Seed Pod Balls

These are the mature seed pods of the Sweet Gum tree, a high quality natural product. They serve as a food source for wildlife, such as finches, sparrows, squirrels, and chipmunks.  They are also often added to terrariums, vivariums, and aquariums. They are used handicrafts, decoration, and in come herbal medicines.

All sweet gum balls sold here have been heat treated to kill any unwelcome hitchhikers.

In aquatic environments, the spiky seed pods add hiding places for small animals such as isopods, baby shrimp, and any small freshwater crustaceans. They are also used as a food source for the same animals. The sweet gum balls release tannins that provide antimicrobial properties. Tannins in the water promote a healthy biofilm for your critters to forage, as well as limiting the growth of unwanted micro organisms. Before adding the balls, boil for about 5 minutes to release the air trapped inside them. If you don't they may float for a long time. Some of the tannins can be extracted from the sweet gum balls by boiling them for roughly 20 minutes or longer. Once cooled, the balls can be added to any aquarium for wildlife habitat or decoration. The cooled liquid can be used to control the amount of tannins being added. The liquid is useful in helping set up blackwater aquariums.

In terrariums these can be used to give your clean up crew (such as stringtails or terrestrial isopods) a place to hide to avoid being eaten. If you prefer to set up a bioactive environment with live food roaming at will, sweet gum balls are valuable for hiding places and food for many such animals.

They are used in terrestrial isopod tubs for food, hiding places, and to enrich the isopod environment.

Sweet gum balls are used in many crafts, such as floral creations, rustic Christmas decorations, wreaths, Thanksgiving accents, even table accents are wedding and parties.

In large quantities, sweet gum balls have been used many different ways.

Mulch: The spiky surface and ability to allow air and water to pass through makes them a good option for mulch.

Fuel: Sweet gum balls can be used as fuel for fires because they don't catch fire easily and tend to smolder.

Erosion control: Sweetgum balls have been proven to be an effective way to prevent erosion

Resin uses:

The resin from sweetgum trees, known as storax, has been used historically for medicinal purposes, including treating skin sores, dysentery, and coughs.

Medicinal Properties:

The resin has been used in herbal remedies and salves, and was once commercially popular for soaps, adhesives, and pharmaceuticals.