Cherry Jelly

[marka]

Hop this is the right forum....

A couple of weeks ago I noticed a deep redish gel at the bottom of one of my wood piles, but only tonight found out where it came from. The woodpile had a lot of cherry (felled last winter some time) and this material was oozing out of one log, where two branches had joined. This was the only log I found with this stuff. The only other nasty I saw was a bit of rot near the bottom of the trunk, other than that the wood was lovely.

 

What is it?

I am amazed that the gel is tough stuff, we've had quite a bit of rain and it refuses to wash away. Quite sticky too.

 

The wood is destined for the fire, so it doesn't really matter, but I do find this new life form interesting!

[agg221]

Cherry often produces resin of this type in response to bacterial canker. It suggests there may have been a pocket of it somewhere in the tree, which is now gradually seeping out. It is surprisingly insoluble, except in hot water.

 

Alec

[marka]

That's interesting many thanks.

As the tree was next to where somebody parked their car I can imagine why it had to go!

 

I have demonstrated that once in the tread of your boots it can get a fair way into the house before you get told off.

 

again, many thanks for educating me.

[Fungus]

Cherry often produces resin of this type in response to bacterial canker.

 

The bacteria causing it is Pseudomonas mors-prunorum and this (photo) is what the resin looks like on the living cherry tree.

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