Yep it’s callusing, like you said pieces have broken off, and now the plant has healed. It even has new branches growing out of the old wound. Tell her not to worry.

It’s a Euphorbia so they bleed this toxic white sap when wounded. That’s likely what has dripped on that bottom branch. Let her know to wear her PPE and to be careful if she ever prunes this plant because the white sap can cause major issues to the skin and eyes.

Hi, Laura & Kara! Nice to see you. That is just normal callousing (corking) ... You can see where 3 or so 'branches' fell off.

I've personally never had a problem with euphorbias but I know how to work with them. I recently separated a 4' pencil cactus into 6" pots for my garden group without a hitch.

My (then 84 y/o) father, on the other hand, decided to be stubborn and not heed my warnings ... He took a machete to a 6' E. láctea then rinsed off his hands, threw water on his face, and rubbed his eyes like nothing. Real macho! Needless to say, he almost went blind. To make matters worse, his pride wouldn't allow him to confess to the MD what happened. I had to send him back with a note with the plant name, dangers, mode of treatment, etc. He needed his eyes flushed out immediately but lost that window as a result. He actually had a coating of láctea (like rubber glue when it dries) on his eyes. It took 3 months to clear and his vision is still not the same.

Maria Elena

HI Maria!!

I thought that was the case, I figured I would come here to you experts just to make sure I was giving the correct advise!!

I do not grow these beauties, but I have also heard about how harmful is it’s sap can be. I can only imagine the pain your FIL went through without saying much... it Sure must have been painful... so sorry!! it sounds like this is one tree that you have to watch closely. Wear gloves too!!

Hope you all are dong well..

I decided to take the offered leave from my airline for three months. So it looks like I’ll have time to get everything potted up correctly’

You all take good care and be safe!!! 🙏

Thanks Again,

Laura