Maroela Tree Bleeding Sap

**Glocky** · 21-10-2010, 09:47

Hi Guys ,

I hope to get some help . I have a large male maroela tree on my farm in my lapa ,

last year it starting bleeding sap from its bark .

Any idea why and how I can treat this ?

**Skurk777** · 21-10-2010, 09:51

Zambuck salve and a plaster - a fairly big one.

**Glocky** · 21-10-2010, 10:19

Originally Posted by Skurk777

Zambuck salve and a plaster - a fairly big one.

and a bed time story every night ?

**Bushboy** · 21-10-2010, 10:27

A number of causes. One could be an injury to the tree, brought about by small cracks in the inner bark, perhaps caused by strong wind. Another could be one of the borers. If there is exposed wood anywhere, there is the posibility of flat head borers getting in and damaging that inner bark. If they are in it will eventually spell the end of that tree sadly. I wouldnt worry about it too much

**Glocky** · 21-10-2010, 10:44

Thanks BB , Will have a look when I go there again , No injuries to the tree as far as I know or can see ,

Any way to check for these borers or remove them perhaps ?

Would not want this tree to die as its the middle of my lapa

**Bushboy** · 21-10-2010, 13:31

Ok I would not try removing the flat heads, there may be chemical treatments that can kill them, but I dont know for sure what to use. Id use something like aldicarb or some other short lived systemic poison. Having said that it could also be caused by rapid growth of the bole due to over watering. Im stretching my silvicultural knowledge here a bit so perhaps chat to a horticulturalist or silviculturalist (plant / forestry people)

Flat head borers are just the larval form of jewel bettles, very pretty things. Check this out, http://www.biodiversityexplorer.org/...s/buprestidae/

**Glocky** · 21-10-2010, 13:43

Thanks Bushboy , I will speak to some guys and see what they can come up with ,. I have contacted some tree specilists from UCT Hope they come back to me.