Gummosis in trees

Gummosis in Trees
Gummosis is a common infection found on various fruit and nut trees. It is caused by the bacteria, Pseudomonas syringae. In the landscape, gummosis is most often recognized as a glob of translucent, amber colored sap on the side of the stem or lower trunk of trunk of a tree. The classic sign of gummosis is oozing gum or sap, which usually occurs during the fall, winter or early spring and is frequently found on ornamental Cherry trees. The bacteria's entry point is often a wound caused by careless landscaping practices, such as improper pruning, removal of suckering branches from the bottom of the tree, or the impact of weed eaters and lawnmowers. The bacteria gain entry to the tree through these wounds. The globs of sap are oftentimes misdiagnosed as borer damage, leading to multiple pesticide applications which do not solve the problem.
There is no control for stem infections. However, branches infected with gummosis can be pruned at least 12" below the infection using pruning equipment that is sterilized after each cut. Infected areas on the lower trunk that cannot be pruned generally lead to the death of the tree. Pruned material should be removed from the site.
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