Why Do Some Trees Oooze Globs of Clear Gel-Like Sap?

December 20, 2015 1:42 AM

I think I went by a silk tree and looked up and down and there were globs of clear gel on the ground and clusters of it above. What purpose does this serve the tree? What is it indicative of?
posted by watercarrier to Science & Nature (4 answers total)

There are a variety of reasons... check here.
posted by HuronBob at 3:31 AM on December 20, 2015

Response by poster: HuronBob - that article refers to regular sap as it flows clear - not as it drops in globs of gel.
posted by watercarrier at 5:52 AM on December 20, 2015

Is it obvious which part of the tree the gel is coming from? I'm wondering if it's nectar that's being produced to entice pollinators that isn't being drank.
posted by Solomon at 6:04 AM on December 20, 2015 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: It seemed to be on the lower tiers of the tree but that could just mean they're dropping from the top. I seem to have found the term for what it is - I think - and that is gummosis. But this doesn't seem to be a sick tree, there have been a lot of rains, so maybe this is the tree's way of purging the extra water. Still open to real answers.
posted by watercarrier at 8:41 AM on December 20, 2015