Sweetgums – Shrub

Q: I had a sweetgum tree growing underneath my power lines. The electric company came and cut it down. I have been trimming the stump sprouts like a shrub and it looks nice. Is there any reason that I can’t keep it as a shrub?

A: I see no reason why you can’t maintain the sweetgum as a shrub. Keep your pruners handy; you’ll need to shape it every month during the growing season. If you sell the house be sure to tell the new homeowner what you’ve done so they can decide whether to keep it.