Can you help identify this damage or disease on my tulip tree?

August 2, 2020 7:42 AM

Please see the 2 photos of the trunk of a tulip tree in my yard. There’s a 1 cm opening in the bark and it’s weeping sap or some dark liquid. Should I be concerned or is there any tree first aid action I can take? I really do not want to lose this tree - it was planted 3 years ago to replace the loss of an awesome shade tree.
posted by chr1sb0y to Home & Garden (2 answers total)

It looks like the tree has sustained damage, maybe a stone thrown by a mower or similar, and now its leaking sap as it's summer so the sap is moving freely. Can you sniff the sap and tell if it's sour smelling? I've sen this on many trees and although I'm not an arborist itv looks like wetwood with no useful cure, although your tree has a good thick stem for its age and I would expect it to be okay. I would not cover this with anything though, without advice from a qualified tree person who can see the tree.
posted by unearthed at 1:00 PM on August 2, 2020

Response by poster: Thanks, unearthed. I Also got a vote for wetwood from another source. Eventually I tried my local branch of Cornell Cooperative and got the following info, which I might as well post on the off chance someone else can use it.

“Damage looks to be from a wood boring insect and sap from the tree is flowing down from the injury. Since I cannot see the larvae I cannot id the insect. The hole indicates the insect has matured and is no longer in the tree. There is a root collar borer that attacks the trunk of tulip trees close to the ground. A company that has a certified arborist and can apply pesticides may consider applying a systemic pesticide or bark spray.

You will also need to minimize stress on the tree. Water deeply during dry periods keeping the top 10 inches of the soil moist but not wet. How much and often you need to water will depend the soil type. The tree looks like it was planted too deep. Pull away the mulch and soil away from the trunk until you are able to expose the root flair. Keep soil and mulch away from the flair a good 6-8 inches.”
posted by chr1sb0y at 6:03 AM on August 4, 2020