Question
We live on a forrested mountain side and have a mature red oak which has recently started showing a dark ooze from the bark.  This morning we noticed a strong smell of fermentation along with small areas of a white foam like substance.  What's wrong with our tree and what, if anything, can be done for it?

Answer
Diane:
This sounds like a bacterial disease called Bacterial Wetwood/Slime Flux.  Take a look at this bulletin I wrote about this disease.  It is a pdf file, so you will need a free program on your computer call Adobe Reader (free from the internet).

http://www.uaex.edu/Other_Areas/publications/PDF/FSA-7552.pdf

Regards
Steve