Red Oak Foam - Cicada damage? - Ask Extension
I live south of Bellevue along the Platte river. This red oak was planted 5 years ago. We were invaded by cicadas 2 weeks ago and this tree was co...
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Red Oak Foam - Cicada damage? #257704
Asked June 28, 2015, 2:12 PM EDT
I live south of Bellevue along the Platte river. This red oak was planted 5 years ago. We were invaded by cicadas 2 weeks ago and this tree was covered. Now there is a sticky white foam excretion all over the tree and dripping down on the patio. Could this be damage from the cicadas laying their eggs in the bark? Should I hose it off? Is there anything I should be doing to prevent this from harming the tree?
Sarpy County Nebraska
Expert Response
This could be due to the cracks left in the tree from the cicadas laying their eggs. However, this could also be due to many other cracks or a canker in the branches. From the cracks, there is a sap flow occurring, but nothing to be worried about and there is no control for that. On some of the smaller branches, you could prune out the infected branches. I would also look under the foam for spittlebugs. These are insects similar to aphids that would be around the foam. These are also not damaging to the tree, but can be washed off for management.
