Q. I noticed my Anna apple
tree is seeping fluid and a white patsy substance from a previous cut done last
year. What shall I do to help it?
 |
| Anna apple seeping fluid from old pruning wound |
A. Smell the fluid. Take
your finger and wipe it against this wetness and judge your nose whether the smell
is “yeasty” or not. If there is a strong yeasty smell, there might be a
bacterial infection going on. If it does not smell “yeasty”, then there is
probably no infection.
your finger and wipe it against this wetness and judge your nose whether the smell
is “yeasty” or not. If there is a strong yeasty smell, there might be a
bacterial infection going on. If it does not smell “yeasty”, then there is
probably no infection.
 |
| Wetwood or slime flux disease on older tree from a reader. Slime flux is caused by bacteria “feeding” on inner wood of tree and causing the fluid to smell “yeasty”. Often times this liquid attracts flies and has a foul odor. This “disease” is not fatal to the tree but can be unsightly and create a nusiance. |
I would not do anything to the tree regardless. The
yeasty smell is caused by a non-lethal infection.
yeasty smell is caused by a non-lethal infection.
The inside of a tree has a central core of dead wood. The
living part of the tree is an outer cylinder of living wood that enlarges
year-to-year. The inside of the living cylinder increases the diameter of this dead,
central core each year.
living part of the tree is an outer cylinder of living wood that enlarges
year-to-year. The inside of the living cylinder increases the diameter of this dead,
central core each year.
Growth in the length of branches is called primary
growth. Growth in width or diameter is called secondary growth.
growth. Growth in width or diameter is called secondary growth.
Secondary growth is responsible for “rolling over”
pruning cuts and they can no longer be seen. When this secondary growth rolls
over a wound, it surrounds or engulfs the wound, covering it, but the wound doesn’t
“heal” like it does in animals.
pruning cuts and they can no longer be seen. When this secondary growth rolls
over a wound, it surrounds or engulfs the wound, covering it, but the wound doesn’t
“heal” like it does in animals.
 |
| The cylinder of living “wood” of a tree is alive and can “roll over” a wound, even a large one, and “bury” it in the older dead wood inside the tree. |
The central core of the tree is dead. This dead wood can
“rot” due to different microorganisms. This rotting caused by microorganisms
can cause the “seeping fluid” you are seeing.
“rot” due to different microorganisms. This rotting caused by microorganisms
can cause the “seeping fluid” you are seeing.
I would do nothing to the tree at this time unless you
see other problems developing in its overall health. Judging from the picture
you sent, the old wound seems to be healing and rolling over the pruned cut very
nicely.
see other problems developing in its overall health. Judging from the picture
you sent, the old wound seems to be healing and rolling over the pruned cut very
nicely.
I would not disturb it
in any way but let the tree heal on its own. It should stop weeping when tree
growth begins in earnest in the next few weeks.