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Thursday - October 14, 2010
From: Austin, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Trees
Title: Chinkapin oak (Quercus muehlenbergeii) weeping sap
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
Help, help! Our Chinkapin Oak is weeping sap along the trunk. There is no sign of damage. What can we do?ANSWER:
Mr. Smarty Plants had a question of a similar nature several months ago and I consulted with Eric Beckers of the Texas Forest Service for his expert advice. This is what he said:
"This sounds like wetwood, also known as slime flux, a bacterial disease that enters through a wound. The pressure caused by the bacteria growing inside the tree usually produces a foaming weep that is very attractive to insects. A healthy oak should be able to close the wound and shut down the bacterial ooze. In the meantime, a periodic hosing down of the weep will cut down on insect activity and the pungent aroma."
It doesn't sound like a serious problem, but keep your eye on your Quercus muehlenbergii (Chinkapin oak). If it begins to show obvious signs of stress, it might be a good time to call in a professional arborist. Here is more information on wet wood or slime flux from the Univeristy of Illinois.
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