Gum Tree (YN-13) was launched 20 March 1941 by the Marietta Manufacturing Co., Point Pleasant, West Virginia; commissioned 16 September 1941, Algiers, Louisiana.

After shakedown in the Gulf of Mexico and Mississippi River, Gum Tree sailed for Newfoundland on 25 September 1941, reaching Argentia, Newfoundland, 25 January 1942 after touching at Key West, Florida; New York City; Newport, Rhode Island; Boston, Massachusetts; and, Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Casco Bay, off Portland, Maine, was Gum Tree's home port for the remainder of the war as she tended harbor defenses there.

In September 1945, the net-tender participated in some experimental net operations at Melville, Rhode Island, and then was ordered to Orange, Texas, where she arrived 6 December 1945.

Gum Tree decommissioned at Orange, Texas, 20 June 1946 and was struck from the Navy List 7 February 1947.