How to treat lemon meyer tree orange mark on trunk?

[dan94]

Hello everyone, 

need some help on my lemon tree I have this mark at the trunk of my lemon tree and have sap coming out I have tried line Sulfur but still seems to be there. And the sap also comes out and then drys. Not sure if this is gummosis and need to scape the bark or if something else. Please help!

 

 

[JacobZ]

Hi @dan94,

A warm welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community, it is fantastic to have you with us.

While it does have some symptoms that resemble collar rot, I don't think it looks unhealthy enough for this to be the answer.

It looks more like something has been rubbing up against the tree, causing a small amount of damage to the bark. Do you have a cat or dog? Maybe there are possums around your house?

At this stage, I don't think you should take drastic action, but it may be worthwhile to apply Yates Anti Rot Fungicide as a preventative measure and then monitor the issue to see if it worsens. 

If it does worsen, then removing the bark around this area to allow it to dry out and looking at the drainage of the soil would be the next step.

Allow me to tag our knowledgeable horticulturalists @Noelle and @robchin to see what they think.

Jacob

[Noelle]

Hi @dan94 

I have to agree with @JacobZ  - the damage doesn't look like collar rot or other type of fungal infection. It looks like 'mechanical' damage of some sort caused perhaps by an animal.

An application of an antirot fungicide will help the wound to heal over and prevent the potential entry of diseases during the healing process.

[dan94]

thank you for your help Noelle JacobZ  I will give it a go with the anti rot fungicide. As on the photo I did actually have the black rocks around the trunk that were touching it so maybe it was the black rocks that gave it a reaction? Which I have now gave the rocks some room around the trunk. 

[JacobZ]

Hi @dan94,

The rocks could certainly have caused issues if they were stacked against the trunk, so moving them backwards was a good idea.

I'd just apply the fungicide and keep an eye on it over the next few weeks and report back if anything changes.

Hopefully, you'll find that the mark reduces, and your lemon tree remains in good health.

Jacob

[robchin]

Hi @dan94 

Firstly - don't panic.

The advice given above by @JacobZ  and @Noelle to apply a fungicide is a good starting point. 

I reckon the clue is in the weeping sack in your original question. I think there has been a wound in the trunk and the resulting sap is a food source for a yeast-based fungus. Cryptococcus spp. I couldn't find a local reference for you but found this reference that may be of interest. 

Good luck.