jane2014, Cnidoscolus aconitifolius comes up as Chaya; but is classified as a vine! The symptoms you describe show up on a tree trunk - or I am missing something important.

Ron, I find it described as a woody shrub. Sounds like an interesting plant.

jane2014, this Chaya tree is quite intriguing, if not a bit intimidating!
My opinion is that the infected trunk should be cut back to 'clean tissue' (almost ground level,it seems); and allowed to re-sprout.
NB. I hope 'rhizo' enjoys the taxonomy digression in the attached link.

This post was edited by ronalawn82 on Sun, Feb 8, 15 at 4:16