sap and moisture on new honey locust tree - Ask Extension
HI there- I planted a 2" B&B Honey Locust about 6 weeks ago... it was doing great until this week when I notices resin sap and moisture on stems a...
Knowledgebase
sap and moisture on new honey locust tree #846414
Asked August 19, 2023, 3:37 PM EDT
HI there-
I planted a 2" B&B Honey Locust about 6 weeks ago... it was doing great until this week when I notices resin sap and moisture on stems and along trunk. Web research photos of 'bacterial wetwood' look similar. It is a 'Sunburst' Honey Locust so the leaves naturally have a slight yellow-chartreuse cast. It was planted in soil that I thought was good, it isnt overly wet or dry (is getting about 10-15 gal of water a week). I will attach photos.
Also... we did use a tree strap becauue of high winds, and I just noticed it was pretty tight, so loosened it.
Can you confirm what this might be and if there is a treatment?
Many thanks for Your time!
Boulder County Colorado
Expert Response
Hi Susan,
Honeylocust aren't usually a species of tree that is affected by bacterial wetwood but the typical site for the sap to exude is at the trunk crotch and wounds of the tree and that's what I see happening in the photos you sent. Is there a bad odor to the sap? That can be indicative of bacterial wetwood as well.
What can be done for a leaky tree? Unfortunately, there is no cure. I think that the tree was susceptible to it this year because simply it was planted and it has been hot. An infected tree may produce ooze every summer for many years.
Minimizing other stresses can help to prolong the life of an infected tree. For example, avoid wounding the tree, and water it deeply if the weather is especially dry. Drought stress can make symptoms worse. Older recommendations suggested inserting a spout in the tree to drain out the liquid and relieve pressure. This treatment is now known to not be helpful, and can actually make the problem worse since it involves wounding the tree.
Maintaining overall vigor is the best way to manage a leaky tree.
Here's a link for caring for recently planted trees: https://cmg.extension.colostate.edu/Gardennotes/635.pdf
Here's a link for picking the right tree for the right place and the best times to plant them: https://csfs.colostate.edu/colorado-trees/selecting-planting-and-caring-for-trees/
I hope this helps!
Best,
Boulder County Master Gardeners
Honeylocust aren't usually a species of tree that is affected by bacterial wetwood but the typical site for the sap to exude is at the trunk crotch and wounds of the tree and that's what I see happening in the photos you sent. Is there a bad odor to the sap? That can be indicative of bacterial wetwood as well.
What can be done for a leaky tree? Unfortunately, there is no cure. I think that the tree was susceptible to it this year because simply it was planted and it has been hot. An infected tree may produce ooze every summer for many years.
Minimizing other stresses can help to prolong the life of an infected tree. For example, avoid wounding the tree, and water it deeply if the weather is especially dry. Drought stress can make symptoms worse. Older recommendations suggested inserting a spout in the tree to drain out the liquid and relieve pressure. This treatment is now known to not be helpful, and can actually make the problem worse since it involves wounding the tree.
Maintaining overall vigor is the best way to manage a leaky tree.
Here's a link for caring for recently planted trees: https://cmg.extension.colostate.edu/Gardennotes/635.pdf
Here's a link for picking the right tree for the right place and the best times to plant them: https://csfs.colostate.edu/colorado-trees/selecting-planting-and-caring-for-trees/
I hope this helps!
Best,
Boulder County Master Gardeners
