What is that orangish gelatinous mass on my cherry tree?

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sbaer Raleigh, NC(Zone 7b) Jul 09, 2008

It looks like a dollop of jelly or jam. It was clinging to the lower bark of my cherry tree sapling a month or so ago and I picked it off. The tree appeared to have no problems. I just returned from a weeklong vacation (and it rained a bit while we were gone). The tree now looks like it is getting limp or weak as all the leaves are curling and looking dried out (it appears as if it was not getting enough water) and I noticed that there is quite a bit more of that orangish-brown jelly at the base of the tree. I immediately scooped it up out of the dirt and off the plant and threw it away. Sorry I didn't let it stay around to take any pictures. Any ideas what this could be and how I can get rid of it? Also, is the tree doomed or can it be salvaged? I am in Raleigh, NC.

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JuneyBug Dover AFB, DE(Zone 7a) Jul 09, 2008

Look for the borer's hole and shove a thin wire up there to kill it.

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pastime Waterman, IL(Zone 5a) Jul 10, 2008

Get him! And give an extra poke with the wire for me would ya.

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sbaer Raleigh, NC(Zone 7b) Jul 12, 2008

Thanks, that is helpful. I looked around the base but I was not easily able to see a hole. How big should it be? Would a paper clip fit into it? Do you have any idea what kind of borer it would be?

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ecrane3 Dublin, CA(Zone 9a) Jul 12, 2008

There are other things that can cause orange goo besides borers--I think bacterial canker can cause similar symptoms, or if the tree's bark was damaged by someone being a little careless with the pruning shears, running into it with a shovel, etc that can do it too. Can you take a picture of the area where the goo was and post it? Canker and borers can definitely be very problematic and potentially fatal, but if it was just a little nick in the bark then the tree will likely recover just fine. Also, have the leaves perked up now that it's being watered properly again? Those symptoms may or may not be related to the orange goo, if it perked back up once it got some water then it's probably not related, but if it's still looking droopy then that could signal that the borers or canker have really got a good grip on the tree and it may be tougher to save it.

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plantfreak78 Rolesville, NC(Zone 7b) Jul 13, 2008

The advice that ecrane has given is good. But if you post a picture and still no one can give you an answer you may want to call Bartlett Tree Experts. That's the name of the arborist service our nursery recommends. They're a little bit expensive but it's worth it if they can save your tree.

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