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?
tree is seeping fluid and a white patsy substance from a previous cut done last
year. What shall I do to help it?
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.
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| Slime flux or more commonly called wetwood is a bacterial disease that invades the wood of trees and lingers. It is not life threatening for the tree but it is an eyesore. |
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.
 |
| Anna apple is a good early apple for the desert but I still like Dorsett Golden a little better. Get them on M111 rootstock for the desert. |
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.
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.
on its own. It should stop weeping when tree growth begins in earnest in the
next few weeks.