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Cause of sap leakage on blue spruce? #334698

Asked June 21, 2016, 12:46 AM EDT

Hi! I have a blue totem spruce tree that I purchased from a local plant nursery last month. I think it's been a little stressed due to transplantation, but recently I noticed it has started to leak sap from the trunk in a couple of different spots. There are also two small branches in that same area that have dried out and died, and another is beginning to do the same. At first, I thought that maybe the branches had been injured either in it being delivered here from the nursery or perhaps with trying to plant it. But now I am not so sure. Any idea on what could be causing my tree to leak sap? And is there anything I can do to help it? Thank you in advance for your help!

Davis County Utah

Expert Response

Many conifers, including spruces, produce resin in their tissues, and when there is a broken branch or a hole produced by an insect or some other injury the resin comes out. It can push an insect out and can protect a wounded area as it heals. It would be common to have wounds, mostly physical wounds, on a newly transplanted tree, and that is what you have. It does not look like it is an unusual amount of damage or resin exudation, so you don't need to do anything about it.
An Ask Extension Expert Replied June 21, 2016, 4:03 PM EDT
Thank you for your answer! That is reassuring. I will keep an eye on it but stop worrying. :)
The Question Asker Replied June 22, 2016, 11:32 AM EDT

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