Question: What may have caused this clear ooze to develop?

This appears to be similar to Slime Flux (also known as Wet Wood). However, Dr. Wayne A. Sinclair, Professor Plant Pathology, Cornell University provided the following observations.

" In your close-up image the froth appears similar to "alcoholic flux," so named because of its fermentative origin and ethanol odor."

Alcoholic or white flux also called frothy flux, is not related to wet wood. It occurs where microorganisms ferment sap in cracks and other wounds in the bark and cambial region. Alcoholic flux is acidic and nearly colorless, and sometimes appears as a white froth. It often emits a pleasant fermentative odor, and persists only a short time in summer. The associated microorganisms apparently produce gas and alcohol. Alcoholic flux is reportedly common on stressed trees, notably on Liquidambar stryaciflua (sweet gum), Quercus (oak), and Ulmus (elm) in the Midwest and Salix (willow) in the Southwest. It has been noted on Albizia julibrissin (mimosa or silktree) affected by Fusarium wilt (Sinclair, e-mail 10/31/02).

Question: What care should be taken to protect the tree from future occurrences of this problems?

Alcoholic flux is stress related. In this case, heat stress mostly likely set the stage for this problem. To help avoid this problem, good cultural practices should be maintained. Proper watering during the growing season as well as during the winter months is critical. Since this tree is in a lawn, care must be taken to avoid over watering and other damage such as caused by lawn mowers and string trimmers.

References on "Alcoholic" Flux:

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