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Bacterial Wetwood - Slime Flux 

Bacterial  Wetwood is a constant weepy - often  slimy ooze coming from a wound in a tree (most often a cut limb or at a split in the trunk).  The reason for the constant discharge is an anaerobic (fancy word for as bacteria that can live in little or no oxygen)  bacteria that feed on the sap and  keep the wound from healing.  Sometimes aerobic (bacteria that like oxygen) bacteria add to the problem  gross look by feeding on the sap on the surface.  The anaerobic bacteria often  are deep into the wood  and produce gas and that puts pressure on the flowing sap causing it to flow out.

 There is no control although a perforated pipe can sometimes be inserted  immediately beside the wound to release some of the gas pressure and this may allow the original wound to heal but no guarantees. Also. occasionally a good hard winter knocks the bacteria back enough that the tree can get ahead of it and the wound will start to heal.    Wetwood is common in Mulberry and Manitoba Maple but can also be found in Norway Maple 

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Constant  ooze emanating from a wound from a Norway Maple is a give away of Bacterial Wetwood 

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