tree with strange gashes in trunk
I have a tulip poplar tree with 5-6 inch long gashes. This is a new occurrence. These gashes go up the trunk about 6 feet. Nothing oozes out, but the inside of the gash looks possibly like dark syrup. I had nothing on me at the time to insert in the gash for investigation. What are these and should I be concerned?
Howard County Maryland
1 Response
This looks like several infections of slime flux or wet wood, a common occurrence in trees. Usually this is a relatively harmless organism that gets in wounds. It's superficial and stays localized. Here's more about it you'll want to know: https://extension.umd.edu/hgic/topics/slime-flux-and-wetwood
These wounds almost appear in a pattern. Did someone scale the tree with spurs in the past? Keep an eye on it.
Ellen