Sap dropping from eucs

Jeffrey Lovstrom

I have a client that insist that his beautiful euc is drippig sap and is afraid that it needs to be removed. We have been hit hard by the "Tortoise beetle" and I figured the tree is reacting in self defense. What do you guys think?
Jeff

Eric Frei

Sap suckers!

Is it dripping from leaves?

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Jeffrey Lovstrom

No, from the trunk. I told her the tree is producing sap in excess due to the tortoise beetle, as defense mechanism of the tree. She has a baby and thinks the tree will kill her and her family--her exact words.
Jeff

Therrin

You should tell her that in the night, the tree sends out fairys which circle round and protect the house from evil forces; and that if she cuts the tree down that it will let loose little dead tree demons.



How large is the tree? How close is it to the house? Are there other targets? Can you take pictures? =)

Jeffrey Lovstrom

O.K. Therrin, you are not taking me seriously but thats o.k. Hey, you are in Lancaster- Remember a few years ago you all had a (wind storm) almost like a tornado? I remember alot of work I did in your area and remember the big Stealth B-1 bombers flying over head. First time I saw one of them.
Jeff

Therrin

Actually I *am* taking you seriously which is why I was asking questions... Pictures typically really help over just trying to explain something.

If you can generate more details it might help others to come in and comment further, especially pictures.




YES!!! I had a ton of work during those storms! There were downed trees everywhere! We had gusts of up to and over 150 some odd MPH.
Some people get used to seeing the B-1s, B-2's and stealth fighters flying overhead. I never get tired of it though, they're such amazing machines. They fly over the valley several times a week. It's so cool when you see them full on, and then as they go into the distance they just disappear into a thin line.
I was actually at the christening ceremony at Plant 42 for the Stealth Bomber. It was quite an event.

Are you based out of Coronado?

Jeffrey Lovstrom

Sorry, my mistake, no pics cause I am not good at uploading and stuff-the tree is a euc albens about 30 years old and 35 feet tall that is always crown reduced annually for view as it is on the ocean. We have been doing these trees for 8 years for the HOA but we have been hit hard by the Tortoise beetle that eats leaves all night long-all night long--it is a very nice tree and and reduction has been by the ANSI standards. The homeowner is a young couple with a baby and they think a tree this high is a hazard and they are trying to get the property manager to remove it by installing fear. Basically, they don't want trees near their home. Although this propery is on the beach, it is a community tree and many homeowners are against taking the tree out. The view would be great to them with no trees in sight. This beetle is new to us and we are dealing with it. It is over a garage yet they told the board that their baby is at risk. They want it removed because of the sap drip makes them believe that the tree is going to fall on the house and kill their baby=their words-makes me sick that so many many people think they know so much when they don't know nothing. I have a meeting on Tuesday and will take pics --then I will need need help to show them. Is that O.K.? I just wanted to confirm that the tree is healthy and the sap is responding to stress.
Jeff

Jeffrey Lovstrom

HEY , I was able to make my avatar my boot camp grad pic from 1978! How about that! Man, I was Good looking way back then--Ha Ha
Jeff

Therrin

Oh! and here I was thinking us young folk had something in common...pffft!

I'll try to divert some attention over here now that there's some more info available. Photos are a HUGE help though, dont forget.

Jeffrey Lovstrom

I was Navy got out in 1982- those planes are insane and awesome! I am based out of Escondido area. We are Urban Tree Care based out of Newhall and I am ops guy for San Diego and Orange and Riverside.

Therrin

Awesome! I've done alot of work in Sand Canyon and up through different parts of Santa Clarita. I used to work in the scuba dept at the sport chalet there in Valencia.

I dont wanna derail the thread so lets defer any further personal chatter to PM's....

Sean Freeman

Without pics it would be very hard to say what might be causing the tree to develop stem lesions (if thats is what is happening). Eucs like many many species produce kino/sap in response to direct injuries that penetrate through the bark and rupture the cambium.

However it is also true that kino exudation through lesions (or splits) on the stem could be indicating more serious dysfunction within the transport system of the tree.

Eucs are interesting in that they produce relatively rapid dramatic (in the sense that when dissected we can actually easily see the altered wood cell forms) alterations to phloem cells in the formation of 'Kino channels'

Based on a desktop search for Tortoise beetle I don't think that this insect would be (alone) the cause of any stem lesions, tortoise beetle - Chelymorpha cribraria (Fabricius)
It sems to be a leaf chewing insect...perhaps the tree in questionis trying to tell you something else is going on? (Sorry Mark for the anthropomorphism, I can't help myself )

So why might the tree be exuding sap/kino from the stem??

Most likely cause...root or lower stem damage, leading to exposure of wood tissues to air, insect and fungal pathogens (this is all conjecture for your specific tree mind).

I'd be taking a very close look at the places where the sap/kino is coming out...are they cracks or holes?
Is the bark around the area discoloured, lifting?

Sorry probably not really all that helpful to you...more info needed really.

Garry Brockley

when was it last reduced?
How severe was the reduction?
have you confirmed that there is the turtle beetle present?

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Jeffrey Lovstrom

10 months
About 18 inches
Yes
Jeff

Eric Frei

Without knowing the specific euc it's tough.

For example, the spotty gums here took a real beating in the drought with lots of weeping lesions, other gums had little to nothing at all.

Could be a combination of stressors.

Really need to know what the previous 2 years weathers been, site environment and species with pics thanks.

If the sap is dripping from holes that would be easily seen, round borer holes. In my experience this is rare, usually stem canker weeping from tiny cracks in the bark.

Treatment? In many cases a chainsaw by the time I get there, but in early stages improving the environment, mulch, mychorrizal fungi, seaweed extract, watering etc helps the tree take care of itself.

To deal with the bugs, confidor drench at highest allowable dose.

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