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Acer - ?burls on trunk leaking sap

BhasBhas Posts: 16
in Problem solving
Hi,
I have a beautiful, potted Japanese Maple, bought as a tiny thing from a nursery about 8 years ago, now about 2ft tall.  I re-potted it this year and it is a little leaf-scorched (did that last time I re-potted too - doesn't seem to like Ericaceous compost..!!).  Over the last few days I've noticed what can best be described as large 'pimples' / 'burl-like growths' on the trunk at branching points.  They are anywhere between 0.5cm and 1cm in diameter and are dripping sap.  Nothing seems to be wrong with the tree otherwise.  No sign of fungus.  No holes / blisters in the truck or damage to the leaves (beyond the bit of scorch I mentioned).  Hubby thinks this is new growth but I'm doubting that.  I think it's been overwatered recently so could be oedema?  Or burls??  Dr Google hasn't been any help.  Can anyone shed some light?  Thank you.       

Posts

  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 15,039
    A picture might help.
    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • BhasBhas Posts: 16
    Can't get phone to upload to the website.  Will keep trying!
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Try reducing the size of the pics. That usually works. 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • BhasBhas Posts: 16
    punkdoc said:
    A picture might help.

  • BhasBhas Posts: 16
    edited May 2019
    Hopefully that pic has uploaded properly.  When I first noticed them I thought they were snails..!  Weirdest thing.  Moisture meter currently says the soil is dry.  It's next to patio apple and cherry trees, which are doing brilliantly.  Horse chestnut scale maybe?  
  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,385
    Those are scale insects.  The sticky stuff is their sugar-laden excrement, which ants love.  As the tree is small, you should be able to remove them by hand - a small plastic scraper can be handy.  Wear gloves if you don't like gooey insect insides! ;)
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • BhasBhas Posts: 16
    BobTheGardener said:
    Those are scale insects.  The sticky stuff is their sugar-laden excrement, which ants love.  As the tree is small, you should be able to remove them by hand - a small plastic scraper can be handy.  Wear gloves if you don't like gooey insect insides! ;)
    Bleugh! Thanks for confirming this.  I shall be at it with a scraper tomorrow then (+/- methylated spirit).  At least that mystery is solved.  I wonder how they got there?!
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