Question
Some branches on our kumquat tree are turning brown and drying out.  There is also a golden sap flowing from some of the joints in the affected area of the tree.  Should I just use a horticultural oil?  What is going on with the tree?  The only thing I have done differently is rotated it a little to even out sun exposure. (It is in partial sun).  We had some some ants a few months ago, but we killed them all off.  Any help is very much appreciated.  Thank you.

Answer
Hi T, Sounds like aphids are attacking your tree.  The ants are being drawn by the aphids secretion.  You could use a horticultural oil or try atomic grow to clean it, make it healthy, promote the root system, organically.  Some horticultural oils have poison in them so check what you put on your plant as the fruit would absorb the poison.  Also, horticultural oil puts a film over the leaves where atomic grow cleans all the pollution off the leaves so the sun can help to promote growth, which the oil will only keep bugs away. Trim away the dead branches, also.   kathy