Michigan State University Extension
Ornamental Plants plus Version 3.0 - 00001700
11/12/99
Slime Flux and Wetwood
Symptoms: Sap seeps out of pruning cuts or other wounds
and flows down the trunk, resulting in a malodorous
"slime flux." Slime flux may sometimes cause wilting and
browning of the tissue between veins of leaves.
Cause: A bacterium causes slime flux. It enters wounds in
the tree and causes a wet interval rot of the trunk wood
(wetwood). The liquid in the trunk ferments and builds up
pressure until the pressure forces it out through openings
such as pruning wounds.
Control: Contact a tree care professional to drill a deep
hole about 1 foot below the slime exit point and force a
piece of plastic pipe into the hole. The pipe should be
long enough to carry the drip free of the trunk and root
crown.
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This file was generated from data base ZZ on 01/19/00.
Data base ZZ was last revised on 11/12/99.
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