Sacs on crabapple tree - Ask Extension
We have numerous small brown sacs on the branches of our prairie fire crabapple tree. They are dripping a clear sticky liquid and the ants appear to l...
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Sacs on crabapple tree #928002
Asked April 10, 2026, 12:13 PM EDT
We have numerous small brown sacs on the branches of our prairie fire crabapple tree. They are dripping a clear sticky liquid and the ants appear to like them
Any ideas?
I tried to take a picture but a close up is blurry.
Thank you
Franklin County Ohio
Expert Response
Elaine,
Without a photo, it is difficult to conclusively identify your problem. However, your description of the sacs and ant activity could indicate the presence of a scale insect. Here is a webpage with photos of one particular scale, it’s symptoms and treatment options:
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/european-fruit-lecanium-scale/
If this is not your problem, please respond with an in-focus photo using as high-resolution settings as possible and I will try again. (Putting a brown paper bag directly behind the branch can help with focus and exposure.)
Without a photo, it is difficult to conclusively identify your problem. However, your description of the sacs and ant activity could indicate the presence of a scale insect. Here is a webpage with photos of one particular scale, it’s symptoms and treatment options:
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/european-fruit-lecanium-scale/
If this is not your problem, please respond with an in-focus photo using as high-resolution settings as possible and I will try again. (Putting a brown paper bag directly behind the branch can help with focus and exposure.)
