I have a Manitoba maple in my front yard which is probably about 30 years old. It was hit by lightning 5 years ago and the trunk split but was fastened back together with rope. There is a soft, green moss about half an inch thick on the truck. The leaves did not fully develop this year and are droopy. My question is about a secretion of a clear liquid coming from the tree. It is like a fine mist that I see on my truck every morning from parking under it. It is a little bit sticky but more like water. Is my tree ready for the chainsaw or can I hope for a few more years out of it?
Without seeing the photos, I can't say for sure, but I'd say the rope is causing or will very shortly cause the early demise of the tree. If the rope has gone around the trunk, it will interfere with the annual growth of the cambium, eventually 'choking' the tree at that point. An arborist can very easily install cabling and/or a long threaded rod to hold the two halves together without wraping rope around the trunk.
Hi there, I realize that the tree may be sick due to the rope but I am wondering what the secretion is. I have heard it may be aphid poop but I find it hard to believe that they can secrete so much.
There are trees in Vancouver that one can't walk underneath during certain years - the bottom of your shoes stick to the ground because of the aphid infestation in the trees. Not to mention that if you stay too long, you start to get a sticky feeling on your face...
likely aphid 'honeydew' flying about. And as a previous poster suggested, get a couple arborists to look a the tree and give you estimates to cable and brace the tree if it needs it.
