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Sick Sumach stags horn

Pauline BullerPauline Buller Posts: 3
in Problem solving

Hi folks,

We have a lovely sumach which has been happily growing and doing it's thing for about 10 years now with no problems.

Recently several branches just seemed to bend over from the point where they emerge from the soil. Three are almost horizontal. Today I noticed a black sticky substance oozing from the main stem and also a small rotten white stump of a broken branch, low to the ground.  The main stem has turned red overnight.

We presume whatever is causing the problem is fatal? Other shrubs and herbaceous planting around the sumach seems unaffected.

We fear a slash and burn is the only remedy. Help please?

Thanks

PaulineB 

Posts

  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,391

    Possibly Phytophthora ramorum, a fungal disease to which Rhus typhina is suscepible and which starts at the roots.  One of the symptoms can be a black goo oozing from stems.  The white rot is probably unrelated - lots of fungi grow on already dead wood but few spread to live wood.

    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • Dave HumbyDave Humby Posts: 1,142

    Having just cut some down at the weekend I can say that they are a very 'resinous' tree. It's extremely sticky stuff so it might just be normal in that respect. 

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