Maple tree growth

[Cbendel5]

My Grandmother has a very old maple tree in her front yard with a knottie
growth. Recently, this growth has began to ooze out a white sappy substance.
The odor from this sap has the smell of fermented alcohol.

What is it and is there anything that can be done to it?

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

You will find some other posts here on slime flux. It is a bacterial decay in the wood. The pressure of their acivity causes the moisture to be forced out. The gnarly growths could be a "ramshorn" where the wood is reacting to an old injury and trying to close up, but insted the two sides push against each other and curl in, push out.

Couldn't find anything on a quick search.

If the decay concerns you have a consulting arborist who would have _no_ interest in the removal inspect it for risk of failure.

http://ASCA-consultants.org/

 

[Treeman14]

Bacterial decay?

Sorry JP, but I feel I must critique your response. (All in the interest of healthy discussion, of course.) The slime flux is a bacteria, but I believe it actually inhibits decay by producing conditions which are unsuitable for decay-causing organisms. Slime flux is not good, but it does prolong the life of a tree that might otherwise die quickly due to decay.