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[Tedwar]

Hi
New to this so pardon any mistakes please. We lost our plum tree earlier this year after it had spent along time leaking sap like substance from its trunk & branches. I couldn't find anyone who understood the problem but was told it may be an illness unique to the plum tree, however I am now seeing the start of the same problem on our peach & apricot tree & have no idea what to do. Please help if possible. EW

[suzy]

Hi Tedwar
Have had a look in my trusty Collins Guide to plant diseases and it is a minefield out there!   Your plum may have had bacterial canker, bark split virus or merely suffering from drought.  These all include exuding quite copious amounts of amber coloured gum.  All these diseases include apricots, peaches and ornamental Prunus species, (although you will be relieved to know  it says less importantly in these fruits in the case of bacterial canker).  There is also Plum Pox Virus (very virulent in Souther Europe) which also affects apricots, nectarines, peaches, etc.  this is more serious and the only recommended treatment is get rid of any infected trees.  Clear the ground and plant disease resistant varieties.  Sorry if this is doom and gloom, must say when I was doing my RHS course 20 years ago I learn´t enough of this disease stuff to put me off growing fruit forever.  However, there is lot of new stuff out there that grows very well.  Hope I haven´t discouraged you

[Campo Girl]

Ah I have a similar type goo coming from my nectarine and wondered whether I should chop down or not, after reading what Suzy has to say I think I will!

[terry]

Well do not give up just yet. Try spraying the tree with a copper suphate solution or a copper based fungacide. It mat not cure the problem if it is bacterial but it may hold back the problem. If the bleeding is from the trunk or branch joints adjacent to the trunk give them a coat or two of white latex paint (after you have sprayed and it has dried out). This will hold the sap in and stop any little friends invading the tree via the wounds. The other thing to think about is the positioning of the tree. Does get too much shade and/or too much standing water around the tree base. Fruit trees do not like to sit in water as this can cause root rot and debilitate the trees health as to make it not strong enough to ward off disease.