Hi.
I just noticed that my very large (20′) Japanese maple (Bloodgood, I think) seems to be bleeding.
At first I thought it was just water that had collected in the crotch but when I mopped up the liquid it was a browny/red and smelled a bit… so I think it is sap.
It runs down and pools about 1/2″ deep in the crotch between the main trunks.
There seems to be a little hole ‘near’ the beginning of the “bleed stream” (marked on the photo), so I instantly thought borer… but the sap doesn’t seem to emanate from that hole.
There doesn’t seem to be any other damage to the tree so I’m at a loss.
This tree is very important to me.
I’m worried about rot, especially in the crotch where the two main trunks converge.
I don’t want to lose it.
Any idea what is going on and what I should do about it?
It’s a little difficult to diagnose the problem with just a picture of the oozing liquid, but since it is early spring and you haven’t seen any other damage (dead branches and twigs, leaf fall), the tree is not likely doomed. What that picture does resemble is a classic instance of Bacterial Wetwood, also known as Slime Flux. Here are some images for comparison: Morton Arboretum University of Wisconsin
In addition to the comments accompanying the photos on those sites, you might want to refer to the more detailed explanation on the University of Massachusetts agriculture department site.
Finally, we have had a similar inquiry on our own site and you will find our response here.
Because this tree has such value for you, you may want to consult a certified arborist who can do a thorough examination. You can find a firm in your area on the International Society of Arboriculture’s searchable database here.
Good luck managing this issue with your Japanese Maple.