New Plum Tree questions

14 years ago

Hello,

I planted a few fruit trees over the last week. I know, I know, not the best time to do it with the heatwave but I couldn't wait.

I'll be posting several questions about them because I'm new to this. The first questions I have are about one of the two plum trees.

In the attached picture, I'm showing the whole tree, then a bit enlarged and finally zoomed in on a "glob" of some clear sappy stuff. What is that? Should I be worried about it? If so, is there something I can do to fix or prevent it from getting worse?

The 2nd question is whether or not I should prune the little "sucker branch" growing from the bottom.

Thanks for any help.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (5)

User
14 years ago
Snip the branch.

Plums and other stone fruit exude that sap from any kind of injury of lesion. So you should take it as a sign to check the tree and see if there's a problem to be addressed.

I can't be sure, that that seems to be where the tree was previously cut back.
blazeaglory
14 years ago
Yes snip the branch and spray that "thing" with copper just to be on the safe side. It could become more cankerous (canker) than it already is.
Related Professionals
Decatur Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Vineland Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Middletown Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Waterbury Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Bloomington Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Saint Marys Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Greensboro Landscape Contractors · Marietta Landscape Contractors · Lincoln Landscape Contractors · Manhattan Landscape Contractors · Kingman Landscape Contractors · Jackson Landscape Contractors · Cornwall Landscape Contractors · Jamestown Home Additions · Everett Home Additions
Lurcher
14 years ago
Yes, trim that side shoot off. The sticky substance is from where the tree has suffered injury, possibly in transit or when being planted. Paint all damaged areas with a proprietary sealing compound to prevent disease. If the tree is allowed to 'bleed' too much, it could become weakened and die.
pantichd
Original Author
14 years ago
blazeaglory - can you explain what you mean by spraying it with copper?

Lurcher - can you explain what you mean by "proprietary sealing compound"?

Thanks for all the replies!
pantichd
Original Author
14 years ago
Hello,

since my first question, the tree has started to ooze sap from two more places. I've been trying to read up on this but there is so much contradictory information out there that I'm confused.

A lot of what I've been reading seems to indicate that the tree is beyond help. Is that true? Please tell me there is something I can do to keep it viable. If there isn't I guess I'll need to just pull it and plant another but I would really, really rather not.

In some earlier replies it was suggested to spray it with copper or use a "proprietary sealing compound". Can someone expand on what that means?

Thanks