How to treat a fungus on tree trunk - Ask Extension
The peach tree in my yard is not blooming. There are four gooey bulges of a sap like substance on the base of the trunk and some around the dirt near ...
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How to treat a fungus on tree trunk #835656
Asked June 14, 2023, 3:45 PM EDT
The peach tree in my yard is not blooming. There are four gooey bulges of a sap like substance on the base of the trunk and some around the dirt near the trunk. There is no known trauma to the tree. How can I treat this. Can the tree be saved?
Larimer County Colorado
Expert Response
Hi Heather,
This is likely from peachtree borer, which is an extremely common, but damaging, insect to peach trees. Here's the CSU publication on it: https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/insects/peach-tree-borer-5-566/
Because of the color of the gummosis, it could also be cytospora canker: https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/cytospora-canker-2-937/
Unfortunately there is no control once the borers have entered the trunk - preventative sprays can be used. If you can find the active tunnels in the trunk, you can use a piece of wire to poke in the holes to destroy the larvae.
As for the current gummosis and knobs on the tree, nothing can be done, except to keep the tree as healthy as possible and reduce stress. This means proper watering, avoiding drought, trunk damage, making good pruning cuts, and using mulch at the base of trees to eliminate damage from lawn mowers or string trimmers. Don't fertilize, since this can cause more stress.
This is likely from peachtree borer, which is an extremely common, but damaging, insect to peach trees. Here's the CSU publication on it: https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/insects/peach-tree-borer-5-566/
Because of the color of the gummosis, it could also be cytospora canker: https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/cytospora-canker-2-937/
Unfortunately there is no control once the borers have entered the trunk - preventative sprays can be used. If you can find the active tunnels in the trunk, you can use a piece of wire to poke in the holes to destroy the larvae.
As for the current gummosis and knobs on the tree, nothing can be done, except to keep the tree as healthy as possible and reduce stress. This means proper watering, avoiding drought, trunk damage, making good pruning cuts, and using mulch at the base of trees to eliminate damage from lawn mowers or string trimmers. Don't fertilize, since this can cause more stress.
