Question
Bark peel and sap ooze
About a month ago, I noticed a spot where sap was oozing about a foot above the ground on a weeping cherry in one spot on a two-inch wide band where bark appeared to have peeled, but the band looked so perfect I thought it might have been caused where a band had been on the tree when young. (I planted it about 4-5 years ago, and it has been fine till now.) A local garden center (sight unseen) suggested spraying with bore-miner spray, which I did a week ago. The bark is still peeling. (See photo. The black is where I sprayed with pruning sealer after cutting away the sap.) I have an identical tree 30 yards away, and no problem there.
Thank you very much for any advice.
Richard Johnson (Baltimore County, Maryland)
AnswerI agree it does look like borer damage. I would cut the loose bark off the wound and re spray but I would use an insecticide called Merit. It is much better then the one you used. Check with your local nursery for this product. Borers attack trees under stress so I would fertilize the tree with 10-10-10 fertilizer at the rate of 1 lb of fertilizer per inch of trunk diameter scattered around the tree and watered in good. Fertilize now and again in the Spring.
