Are These Sweetgum worth Collecting?

[JoeR]

Last year I collected several sweetgum, massive ones with great potential. Sadly though they did not make it, and they were a back breaker to get out of the ground even with a saws all. They don’t really seem to have roots close to the trunk, rather just a massive and deep taproot.

So are these guys worth the effort of collecting? The first is a decent size, maybe 5” or so, and full of deadwood features. I don’t know how their deadwood holds up though so it may not be a good thing. The other one is much smaller but has a nice fat sumo style base. They both have great bark, the larger one forms wings similar to winged elms.

@Zach Smith you probably know if their deadwood holds up?

And of course pictures aren’t the best, the first one has a nice bend but the pics smooth it out.

 

[Zach Smith]

I haven't had any issues with dead wood holding up. Sweetgums really don't need (and you aren't likely to get) smaller roots near the trunk. They're evidently a foraging species. But they do produce a nice fibrous root system in a pot. Just be sure to seal those chops and defoliate.

 

[Silentrunning]

What is the best time of the year to dig one up?