Sweet Gum Tree Oozing White Froth: Alcoholic Flux from Heat Stress

30+ year sweet gum near sidewalk oozes white bubbling liquid from trunk base. Exposed roots. Never happened before.

Diagnosis

Alcoholic (frothy) flux – microorganisms ferment sap in bark cracks/wounds. White, frothy, pleasant fermentative odor. Common on stressed sweet gum, oak, elm. Heat stress triggered it.

Different from slime flux (bacterial wetwood, dark, foul-smelling).

Management

• No cure; wash trunk to deter insects.
• Bleach rinse: 1 pint chlorine bleach/gal water.
• Promote vigor: deep watering (growing season + winter), avoid mower/string trimmer damage.
• Fertilize 10-10-10 at 1 lb/inch trunk diameter, spring and fall.

Flow is periodic; may disappear or recur annually.