What's this on cedar?

[kev7937]

Not sure how long it's been like this but does anyone know what's causing this seepage?

 

Looks like the soil may have been raised to me but if so not in the last 14 years. Looks pretty healthy otherwise.

 

 

 

[kev7937]

Bump.......

[Gary Prentice]

It looks very much like the seeping you see on old poplars, where moisture is present in a crack which has been colonized by bacteria. Then again, armillaria would be the first thing that springs to mind - but I don't think it's that. Is the bark dying off and/or separating from the underlying cambian?

 

Edit: is there any suggestion of shear cracking (longitudinal)

Edited February 16, 2016 by Gary Prentice
thought of something else

[kev7937]

It looks very much like the seeping you see on old poplars, where moisture is present in a crack which has been colonized by bacteria. Then again, armillaria would be the first thing that springs to mind - but I don't think it's that. Is the bark dying off and/or separating from the underlying cambian?

 

Edit: is there any suggestion of shear cracking (longitudinal)

 

 

No signs of any cracking or loose bark, the only thing I thought was amiss is the lack of buttresses' that are evident on the other three local cedars.

[Gary Prentice]

Is it killing the grass off? if it is it would suggest it's either very acidic or alkaline.

 

I'm still thinking along the lines of a bacterial effusion/slime flux/wetwood. Are those exit holes in the first pic? I can't zoom enough without blurring the image to see.

[kev7937]

Yes it's killing the grass, I'll have a closer look at the holes tomorrow.

 

Ta.

[kev7937]

 

 

 

 

Not a lot more info other than fresh frothy discharge overnight and there is a slight fermentation odour if you give it a good sniff.

 

No signs of physical damage, loose bark or holes.

 

Think someone's coming with a picus tomorrow so that may reveal more.

[Gary Prentice]

It would be good if you were able to publish the results.

 

The third pic looks to be resinous, natural from coniferous species but I'm more sure that the others are bacterial secretions. Internal cracks maybe. I thought they'd be more comment on this thread!

[kev7937]

I thought I'd include the resin as its all in the bottom 50cm of the stem as is the other discharge and I'll let you know if I get any more info, it's our last visit to the site today an I'm hoping to catch the fella with the picus so hopefully he'll have an idea.

 

I'm a bit surprised by the lack of interest myself especially as many seemed to want the forum to stay more on topic.

[Will C]

I'm interested and have been watching quietly from the corner as I can't help, but I'm always happy to learn, monkey see monkey do and all that