Trees love water. Whether from the sky, a watering can, or a hose, you should water new and old trees throughout the year. Trees need water to thrive and survive. However, what does it mean if you see water coming out of a tree? Did the tree receive too much water? Is the tree drowning? Is the tree signaling for help? Is this normal? No, it’s not normal. If you see water leaking out of your tree, your tree is in fact sending out an S.O.S. – it wants your help. Your tree is hurting and needs attention.

Reasons Water Comes Out of Trees

If your tree is leaking water from the trunk,, there is a good chance your tree has bacterial disease called wetwood, also known as slime flux. This disease enters and seeps out of the trees in a liquid form that looks like water. It’s not usually a little liquid either. You will usually see a decent amount of liquid/water all on the trunk.

If your tree has missing bark, any wounds, broken parts, this is where the disease enter the tree. Once inside the tree, the disease/bacteria (called anaerobes) produces a gas. This gas builds up in three tree and once the pressure becomes too much a liquid pours out of the bark. Initially, the liquid will look clear, but it will change into a brown or yellow liquid that both smells and stains the tree. The bacteria can multiply and spread for many years within the tree before you even notice the tree is sick. Other bacteria, insects, and fungi may feed on the dripping slim, which will also make the smell worse.

Although this disease can affect any tree, it attacks mostly maple, birch, oak, elm, and poplar trees. The liquid is usually toxic to most plants so if it drips onto the grass, the touched grass will likely die.

The healthier the tree the better the chance it can fight off and beat the disease. If your tree was sick and weak before getting this infection, your tree may begin to break, and the leaves will turn colors.

There is no cure for bacterial wetwood, but if you find out your tree has this disease, you need to keep it as healthy as possible, so it can live with the disease. A tree can live for many years with the bacteria. Never rip or peel off the bark. Give your tree lots of water. Make sure nothing big or heavy (cars or machinery) is hitting the trees or roots. Do not place compacted soil or mulch right up against the base of the tree.

Need Tree Care Services in Jacksonville, Fl?

  
If your tree is leaking (and it’s not sap), it’s time to call a tree specialist to evaluate if your tree has bacterial wetwood. Certified arborists know how to care for trees with diseases and will let you know if the tree needs to be torn down.

We will do our best to manage the disease within the tree, so the tree can remain as healthy as possible. At Bushor’s Tree Surgeons, we know and love trees. We know what it takes to keep a tree alive. We’ve been in the tree business for more than 50 years, and we always strive to save and care for your trees and help you with all your tree needs.

We know how to care for Jacksonville and Florida trees. Our four certified arborists ensure the highest quality of tree care in the city. After looking at your trees, we will create a care plan and let you know if the tree is too sick to remain in your yard or not. We will find a solution that makes your yard look better while also keeping the tree healthy.

If you need tree help, Bushor’s Tree Surgeons are at your service. We are a tree service company based in Jacksonville, Florida, and service customers in Ponte Vedra Beach and St. Augustine, Florida. Call us at 904-731-9100 or click our Tree Service Jacksonville Fl contact page to learn more and to set up an appointment with one of our certified arborists.