Slime Flux
Slime Flux, Bacterial wetwood
Slime Flux being eaten by invertebrates
by Rosser1954. CC BY-SA 3.0
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Slime flux is a bacterial disease that affects a range of host tree species including oak, ash, maple, poplar and elm trees. Bacteria targets the sap that is released from wounds in the plant surface. Wounds may be caused by insect damage, pruning, poor branching or the natural splitting and cracking of the bark.
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Symptoms
Infected sap is dark and stains bark
Eventually sap takes on a foamy appearance and smells unpleasent.
Slime-infected sap becomes toxic to bark and degrades tree
Fermenting slime-sap mixture also attracts insect pests such as flies, ants and maggots.
Prevention
There is no cure, however disinfecting the wound and wiping off excess sap is highly advised. With continuous monitoring and repeated treatments such as this, tree death can be avoided.
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