Posted on Tree help What is it?canker?

[coffeecraver]

I have a tree in my back yard that has become infested with some nasty bug. There are patches of raised bumps around the trunk that can peel right off with almost no effort. The wood below is rotting and very wet. I occasionally see really gross wiggling white and black spotted larvas that slide back into the wood of the tree. One time, I saw something that looked like an ant when I peeled off a bump. The bumps go both ways, under the bark as well. When I peel them off, I saw rounded bumps underneath, often with sharp points that didn't look like wood at the ends - it was a different color (darker, almost tan). The bumpy areas on the trunk are slowly spreading, and the bark on many of the main brances of the tree has been peeling off.
Any thoughts?


treeman45246
Senior Member


USA
63 Posts Posted - 09/30/2004 : 14:13:49
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thoughts.... doesn't sound good, but we'll need a better description. Let's start with type of tree. Can you accurately identify it? Are these bumps part of the bark, or something growing on it?

Certified Arborist
Urban Forester

jonandabby
New Member



3 Posts Posted - 09/30/2004 : 15:11:35
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I can't tell for sure. It looks like a species of willow. The bumps almost look like they are pimples that are being caused by the growth of the larva in the wood.

I've published some pictures on the web. Here are some links of:
The trunk: http://www.sophiescrystal.com/_auctions/tree 1.jpg
The bumps:
http://www.sophiescrystal.com/_auctions/tree 2.jpg
The wood after removal of bark w/bumps:
http://www.sophiescrystal.com/_auctions/tree 3.jpg
Bumps closeup:
http://www.sophiescrystal.com/_auctions/tree 4.jpg
Bark with removed bumps:
http://www.sophiescrystal.com/_auctions/tree 6.jpg
Bark with side view of bumps (with points):
http://www.sophiescrystal.com/_auctions/tree 7.jpg


jbanks
Advanced Member


USA
2067 Posts Posted - 09/30/2004 : 16:06:50
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Very strange, At first I though they were burls. But you say the detach from the trunk?

This growth is it woody? or spongy like a mushroom?

Jay Banks
ISA Certified Arborist
Urban Forester

jonandabby
New Member



3 Posts Posted - 09/30/2004 : 20:51:13
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The growth is woody, and the points are actually relatively sharp. The odd thing is that the wood underneath when I remove the bark (with the knots underneath) is very moist. It almost seems like whatever is growing inside the wood is displacing it, and that is what is causing the bumps and the bark to slowly come off around the trunk.

 

[SpaceTaxi]

Cytospora?

I'd venture a wild guess and suggest it might be Cytospora and the funky growths are watersprouts which are immediately getting infected and dying.

Thanks,

SpaceTaxi

 

[Guy Meilleur]

Originally posted by Mike Maas
The galls are usually not a health issue for the tree.

That's what i thought too; the pics show bright, live wood yet the report is of mushy brown stuff. E-diagnosis is a pita.

 

[jonandabby]

It's my tree

The original post on Tree Help was from me, so I'll answer a few things.

1) The wood underneath the bark is healthy. The bark overlaying the bumps (galls, I suppose) is what is mushy and rotting.

2) I've seen at least three larva when I pulled some of the rotting bark off. What are they?

3) The thing that most worries me is that the galls are definitely expanding around the trunk, and now many of the branches in the tree (including one of the main ones branching off the trunk) have lost all their bark and are dying.

 

[Guy Meilleur]

Re: It's my tree

Originally posted by jonandabby
2) I've seen at least three larva when I pulled some of the rotting bark off. What are they?

The larva need to be looked at by someone with access to pubs to ID. There are thousands of kinds. If you post a picture or two someone here may try to ID it for you. Best to also take them to your county ag extension agent.

I used a picture of carpenterworm larvae in the Ooze in the News article. I had my ID confirmed by a university person, but another entomologist told me Tuesday it looked more like a fly larva. There is not much differentiating these guys, so you gotta look really close.