There Will Be (Tree) Blood: Why Your Tree Bleeds Sap After Pruning
When a tree is pruned or lopped, those missing limbs can seemingly bleed, producing a surprising amount of sap. Is it bad news for a tree to expel so much moisture? Surely it should be retaining this liquid? In most instances, you don't need to be concerned with this bleeding, but this doesn't mean you won't need to take action.
What Is the Tree Actually Losing?
The sap produced after a tree's limbs have been pruned is largely water-based, and it is rich in nutrients. For some types of trees, this type of lopping is deliberate and is a form of agriculture. Birch trees are often encouraged to seep sap with strategic pruning, with the sap then pasteurised and made into a variety of products safe for human consumption. Sap seepage from pruned limbs is common, but is it going to harm the tree?
Is the Tree in Danger?
For the most part, this loss of sap (the bleeding) isn't going to damage the tree. Given the fact that the tree is essentially piping nutrients to sections of itself that are no longer there, there is the chance that the tree can become malnourished, so be sure to look for signs of ill health, such as discoloured and drooping foliage. This can be counteracted with sufficient watering and an appropriate fertiliser.
Can the Seepage Be a Sign of Something More Serious?
Be sure that the seepage is limited to the section of the trees that have been pruned. If there is evidence of moisture oozing from multiple sections of the tree, particularly if the bark has cracked with moisture emanating from these cracks, then your tree might be suffering from a fungal infection and will need to be promptly treated. Contact a professional arborist if you require assistance.
Is the Sap Going to Damage Anything?
Although the liquid expelled by the tree isn't corrosive, it can still conceivably drip onto surfaces and dry. It should be gently removed with soap, warm water and gentle rubbing, taking care not to disturb any paintwork (such as if it was to fall onto garden furniture or even your vehicle). Consider repositioning these items so they're not in the direct line of fire.
How Can You Minimise Future Seepage?
Most trees will duly recover, and the seepage will dry up, but you don't want to endanger the tree the next time it requires pruning. For your future needs, consider calling a qualified tree lopper who will be very diligent about the amount of the tree that will be removed as well as the schedule for removal. Sap seepage can be minimised with the right timing, with deciduous trees having a particularly active vascular system in spring when they carry moisture and nutrients throughout themselves in order to create new foliage. Pruning when the tree's vascular system is less active will generally result in less seepage.
A bit of bleeding after pruning isn't a cause for alarm, but you will still need to keep an eye on the tree's recovery. To learn more about pruning trees, contact a tree lopper in your area.
