Phytophthora – Bleeding Canker

Scientific name: Phytophthora

Common name: Bleeding canker

Description

There are several different variations of Phythopthora including cambivora, P. citricola, P. cactorum and P. alni. Droplets of brown-red sticky ooze can be found exuding from patches on the bark of stems and branches. These droplets run down the stem or branch and then dry as a dark brown-black crust. The cracks or patches where the liquid seeps from may be home to other fungal brackets. If the bark is removed at this point it will reveal orange-red dead wood, stained and mottled with darker patches.

Effects of fungus on tree

Death of the stem or branches where the exudation seeps from may result. The fungus is isolated to the bark and is reasonably slow growing therefore can be controlled to a certain extent. The infection of Phytophthora causes wounds and scars to the stem and branches. These wounds leave the tree open to infection from other fungal pathogens.

Hosts: Most commonly found on Horse chestnut and lime in the UK. In Europe it has been found on oak, sweet gum, birch and willow.