Oak tree with what appears to be rotting base - Ask Extension
We have an oak tree that has some foaming growth around its base. Is there something we can do to help the tree? It seems like it is rotting around ...
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Oak tree with what appears to be rotting base #329504
Asked June 06, 2016, 8:34 PM EDT
We have an oak tree that has some foaming growth around its base. Is there something we can do to help the tree? It seems like it is rotting around the base.
Frederick County Maryland
Expert Response
Your photos are not clear, but we suspect that you have slime flux. This can sometimes even make trees whistle, but it is not something that you need to worry about. http://extension.umd.edu/hgic/slime-flux-and-wetwood-trees-and-shrubs Check the overall health of your tree. If it doing well, do not worry. vw
I read the piece on Slime flux. But there was no mention of rotting at the base of the tree. The article did mention cracking, which there is some of. It is the rotting and foaming at the base that concerns me. Otherwise the tree looks healthy.
You do not need to worry about foaming. If there is rotten wood at the base, it is time for removal. If the bottom of the tree was rotten, the top of the tree would be dying. We do not see the rotten wood in the photos. vw
