Kwanzan Cherry Oozing Sap: Bacterial Canker or Mechanical Injury?

Clear, spongy, whiskey-smelling ooze at the base of a Kwanzan cherry suggests bacterial canker (Pseudomonas syringae). If it smells fermented, bacteria are fermenting sap inside the trunk.

Diagnosis Steps

1. Smell the ooze: Alcoholic/fermented odor = bacterial wetwood/slime flux.
2. Check for wounds: Lawn mower or string trimmer damage at base can initiate infection.
3. Scrape bark: Green/white tissue = alive; brown = dead. Prune dead tips back to live wood.

Management Options

• Antibiotic spray: Streptomycin (sold as Fire Blight Spray by Fertilome) applied at bud swell and again in 10 days may prolong tree life.
• No cure: Bacterial canker cannot be eradicated, but trees can live years with it.
• Reduce stress: Water during drought, mulch, avoid trunk injury.

When to Call a Pro

If unsure, contact your local cooperative extension for an on-site diagnosis.