Burr Oak has black foul smelling liquid running down trunk

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MiniPonyFarmer Gilmer, TX(Zone 8b) Apr 15, 2012

I have a burr oak tree that was planted 4 years ago. This spring, it has a stream of black liquid dripping out of the trunk. The black liquid smells very foul. The tree is otherwise in good shape, with healthy leaves and consistent growth. What could this be? Thank you in advance for your assistance.

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themoonhowl Prairieville, LA(Zone 9a) Apr 16, 2012

Hi Miniponyfarmer. It sounds like your bur oak (a member of the white oak family) may have a bacterial disease called slime flux. It starts out mostly foamy and then turns black due to oxidation. Here is what I found on it

http://en.allexperts.com/q/Plant-Diseases-715/white-foam-Oak-Tree.htm

and this link on treatment

http://forestry.about.com/od/forestdiseases/p/wet_wood.htm

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MiniPonyFarmer Gilmer, TX(Zone 8b) Apr 16, 2012

themoonhowl,
wow! thanks for that great information! it does appear that this is what is wrong. after last year's drought nothing surprises me. this must have been what stressed the oak. fingers crossed that it recovers. thanks again, L.

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themoonhowl Prairieville, LA(Zone 9a) Apr 17, 2012

You are very welcome. Hope the tree recovers. That is not the kind of surprises we want from our gardens...

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