Question
QUESTION: I have a 30+ yr old fruitless mulberry that seems to be bleeding from the main branches.  We did prune early this spring but it has never bled this much.  The bleeds are not even close to the prune areas.  There was trauma to the trunk itself early this summer, my 4 yr old hammered the trunk and some loose bark came off.  Could that cause the bleeding from the upper branches? I don't want to lose the tree...please advise.  Thank you

ANSWER: Hi there. Sounds like bacterial wet wood disease.
Wetwood and slime flux are poorly understood tree disease problems.   Wetwood is an internal bacterial infection in the wood of host trees. Slime flux is an external bleeding of sap typically associated with such infections. Concern is sometimes justified as wetwood and slime flux can cause noteworthy debilitating effects on infected trees including some dieback or decline, and an inability for wounds or pruning scars to form callus tissue for healing.
Recognition: Wetwood and slime flux are most often recognized by the oozing, bleeding, or fluxing of sap from bark fissures, pruning scars or wounds on the stems or branches of infected trees. Fluxing often occurs in branch crotches resulting from the tearing of tissues at these junctures by excessive branch weight, wind, etc. The oozing sap is usually dark brown, frothy or slimy and foul smelling soon after it is exposed to the air due to the activity of certain bacteria, yeast and other fungi by which it is rapidly colonized - hence the name slime flux. Slime flux, when profuse, characteristically flows downward from its points of emergence, and upon drying leaves a light gray to whitish incrustation on the surface of the bark. Due to its oftentimes highly alkaline nature, slime flux frequently results in the death of turf, shrubs, and plants on which it drips beneath infected trees.Internally, wetwood is typically characterized by dark brown discolored wood which appears circular in cross section and wet or water-soaked. This wet wood is also characteristically malodorous, much like the normally associated slime flux.
 Infection Biology:
The bacteria associated with wetwood and slime flux are common soil and water inhabitants. These organisms presumably gain entry into susceptible stem-wood tissues through wounds or pruning scars via certain insects, pruning tools, birds, and wind. Additional infections appear to be possible through direct root penetration or colonization of root wounds. Once established within the host the bacteria multiply and colonize the tree's central heartwood core. To a limited extent, the bacteria may also colonize portions of the outer, sapwood tissues. The metabolic activities of the bacteria within infected wood tissues generate a variety of gases, predominantly methane, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide. These gases, when confined within the wood tissues, produce unusually high pressures which force the sap outward through wounds and branch stubs giving rise to the readily identifiable, external slime flux. Control: Infected ornamental trees may be helped by pruning declining branches, and fertilizing to promote tree vigor and wound closure.  Avoiding tree injuries and pruning trees properly with clean, uncontaminated pruning equipment are also recommended for minimizing wetwood and slime flux infections.

There is no known effective control for slime flux.  Preventative measures such as avoiding moisture stress, proper pruning and adequate fertilization may help invigorate trees.
 Hope this isn't to technical. Hope it answers your question.  Bill


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QUESTION: Thank you very much!  Is there anything that I can do to help correct the slime flux? I read that the removal of bark in the areas that are hollow and to scrub with alcohol..that sounded strange to me.  Will my tree recover and be normal again with my help? Thank you again...

ANSWER: Hi. I am afraid I put to much info in my answer. Sorry
Here is the only part you should read.
         Control Wetwood disease:
   Infected ornamental trees may be helped by:

#1.Removing declining branches  (dead limbs on tree)
#2.Avoiding tree injuries (weed whacker and lawn mowers hitting  trunk)
#3.Pruning trees properly with clean, uncontaminated pruning   equipment are also recommended for minimizing wetwood and slime flux infections.
#4.Avoiding moisture stress  (watering if needed)
#5.Proper fertilization to promote tree vigor and wound closure.   (only after taking a soil sample to you Agriculture agent and having it tested to see if any nutrients are lacking)
There is no known effective control for slime flux.  
         
       "Please DO NOT cut the bark away."  Sorry for the confusion

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QUESTION: Thank you for the clarification.  One more question for you about the declining branches. My tree is producing green leaves from ALL branches.  Is it safe to say that a dead limb is one that does NOT have any green leaves?  I water my lawn everyday..so there is no moisture stress.  I think the only thing I can do is to fertilize as you suggested. I will not cut the bark away..but is there anything I should do to stop the flow or will it stop on its own? You have great advice...THANK YOU !!

Answer
Hi there: It's pretty safe to assume that if the leaves are missing that part of the branch is dead. You can take your finger nail and scratch the bark. If it's green or white just underneath the branch is alive. Also live branches will be flexible. As for the flow,there is nothing you can do.Generally this wetwood disease does not kill the tree.I have clients with trees that been suffering from this for over 30 years. The trees are still doing fine. If you get insects and gunk growing in the discharge you could take a brush and some water and wash it off. Other than that just let nature take it's course. Thanks for the interest in your tree.We need more people that care this much  Bill
WILLIAM CAMPER

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