Douglas fir sap - Ask Extension
Worried about this Douglas fir tree that has been dripping pitch for 2-3 years from about the same spot near a branch, just thought at first it was co...
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Douglas fir sap #874271
Asked June 23, 2024, 11:30 AM EDT
Worried about this Douglas fir tree that has been dripping pitch for 2-3 years from about the same spot near a branch, just thought at first it was coming from the lower branches that i had removed from years earlier but looks to be leaking sap from or near a branch coming out of the trunk. the tree still looks healthy to me and putting on new growth and lots of new pinecones. It does have a darker shade to it than the trees next to it but I can find other trees on our property with the same tint of needles.
I have heard a lot of the beetle that attacks the Douglas firs and wondering if this is what is gong on (hopefully not) and what can be done. We have a few more trees leaking a small amount of sap but not near as much as this one, also notice the older trees growing together are growing on the tops fine but the lower branches are dead but figured this is normal? fighting for light issue.
Thankyou for your time and insight,
Clay Sterrett
Washington County Oregon
Expert Response
Sap dripping from Douglas-fir trees is a common symptom with a variety of possible explanations. This symptom is often referred to as "resinosis". Known causes include trunk rot, old damage that has been grown over including old pruning wounds or insect attacks, root disease (sap flow at the base), foreign objects grown over inside the trunk, and internal stresses from wind flexing. Often we don't know/can't determine the specific cause, at least not until the tree is down and we can dissect it...
As long as the crown (all the foliage on the tree) is green and healthy looking, it is likely that there are no major health problems or that the tree is holding off any attacks from disease or insects. Wood rots that threaten the structural stability can be a problem that is not an affliction of living tissue but may cause breakage . If the foliage appears to be declining - thinning out, turning yellow or dying back - that is a sign that the tree is losing the battle with root disease or other problems and is likely to continue to decline.
In your case, the large pruning wounds that are healed over may be implicated. Since the sap flow is higher up, its probably not a root disease. If you are concerned about the tree being a hazard, you can consult with an arborist for a hazard tree evaluation. https://www.treesaregood.org/findanarborist
As long as the crown (all the foliage on the tree) is green and healthy looking, it is likely that there are no major health problems or that the tree is holding off any attacks from disease or insects. Wood rots that threaten the structural stability can be a problem that is not an affliction of living tissue but may cause breakage . If the foliage appears to be declining - thinning out, turning yellow or dying back - that is a sign that the tree is losing the battle with root disease or other problems and is likely to continue to decline.
In your case, the large pruning wounds that are healed over may be implicated. Since the sap flow is higher up, its probably not a root disease. If you are concerned about the tree being a hazard, you can consult with an arborist for a hazard tree evaluation. https://www.treesaregood.org/findanarborist
