My Oak tree is dropping sap?

Question

We have noticed this year that our oak tree is dropping sap everywhere. We have read that this may be due to Aphids or Borers, but we were wondering if it may simply be due to the drought? Any help or advice would be much appreciated. Thanks.

We live in Melbourne, Australia. So we have just entered Winter. We shouldn't have any leaves left on the tree, but due to the unseasonally warm weather we still have quite a few. The tree is ablout 80 years old, and we would hate to loose it. Unfortunately due to the drought here, water restrictions prohibit us using a hose.

Answer 1

It is highly unlikely that this is due to drought. Sap usually starts moving in trees with the warming of spring and the moisture of spring rains. The "sap" may be from insects, excreted by aphids or, in some cases, scale insects. You may be able to dislodge and reduce offending aphids in the tree by blasting overhanging branches with a forceful stream of water from a hose. If the source of honeydew is scale insects this won't help much, however. Spraying with insecticide is rarely needed to protect health of the tree.
One thing I would advise is for you to contact your local extension office and have them send an agent out to look at your tree. They've got plenty of experts there, trust me! The longer you wait, the worse this will get and you don't want to lose your tree! Goodluck!

Here's an excellent forum with lots of knowledgeable people if you'd like to try here first:

http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/trees/

Answer 2

I'll have to be general since I'm not even sure what your tree is since there are not native oaks in Australia:

For a tree to be dropping sap at this time is troubling. Usually a plant is condensing sap. Why an insect would be so active now is curious. The leaves would be less sugary for the insects, not more.

Would the drought be causing splits? Could old wounds be a problem? Could a disease be in play? Your idea about a borer is curious. Borers don't automatically cause a ooozing like this unless the tree is "designed" to fight borers by creating massive oozing to wash the invader out. Pines are one example.

So without knowing the genus/species of your tree, it's hard to answer. But one thing for sure, with the ongoing drought, all you can do is sit back and hope (or pray). I'd avoid any compaction over the tree's root system. No treaching, parking autos, etc. Even using the household waster water over the tree's roots would be insignificant for an 80 year old oak........the roots are just too wide spread.

Even when the rains return, you may still loose the tree. Damage from drought may not show up for several years later. Good luck.

Answer 3

Oak Tree Sap

Answer 4

Pine are being infested with Southern Pine beetles. Will eventually kill the tree. Holes all over the bark are another sign. Sap then oozes out of these holes.

Answer 5

You are 100% right. its because of the drought and the warm temps. The tree doesn't know its the beginning of winter, it can't read a calender. It will probably be alright though, plants are tough. And please be kind, most people don't realize the seasons are reversed down under.