Pruning a silver birch - Problem solving

Tracey Gannon

18/03/2013 at 11:56

Tracey Gannon

18/03/2013 at 12:03

On Saturday morning we pruned some branches from our silver birch, about 3-5cm in diameter. They haven't stopped dripping since. Any advice?

chilli lover

18/03/2013 at 19:43

Hi Tracey - I don't believe it's the end of your tree but just might weaken it in the interim - think you have done it a bit late and the sap is already rising:

http://apps.rhs.org.uk/advicesearch/profile.aspx?pid=325

Tracey Gannon

18/03/2013 at 22:23

Thanks so much. We were starting to think of ways to stop it, but now I can rest assured knowing we don't to. Certainly wont be doing it this time of year again!

Gary Hobson

19/03/2013 at 06:17

You have nothing to worry about.

I have seen this often in my own garden. I seem to recall the the drip can continue for a very long period, possibly months. The only problem that I'm aware of is that this sticky stuff can drip onto you. It can be almost like rain.

Tracey Gannon

19/03/2013 at 06:49

You're right Lyon, it's very watery sap. And thanks for the heads up on how long it could continue for. It's my favourite tree in the garden, really should have read up on it before we started!

Hillbilly

19/03/2013 at 10:54

Tim Burr

19/03/2013 at 23:49

I pruned an Acer Palmatum (Crimson Sentry) in January thinking it was completely dormant. It dripped sap for days! Stopped now though.

Tim Burr

19/03/2013 at 23:52

Sorry, not an Acer palmatum - it's a Acer platanoides!

Tracey Gannon

20/03/2013 at 07:23

Thanks Tim. Can't tell if its stopped yet, it's raining too hard!

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