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Berries with black stuff on
We have a shrub that over hangs the fence from our neighbour and it has orange berries on.
I have just noticed that the berries have like a black tar substance on them. Any idea what this is, if it is normal and do I want them dropping off into my flowerbed. It doesn't look that healthy. Any advice gratefully appreciated. thank you.
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Don't worry, it's harmless. It's a fungus growing on aphid "honeydew", a sweet excrescence. It happens when trees have a heavy aphid infestation, and their droppings fall on to shrubs and plants beneath. These infestations are perfectly normal, and occur randomly - I've had one in about 15 years.
It won't spread to anything of yours, and can be washed off the berries.
ok, great thank you for your quick response. very helpful.