What is this brown substance on a fallen pine branch?
by Melissa G
+8
The rain brought down some pine tree branches in our yard, and we found this brown substance over much of them. At first I thought it was some kind of lichen but it looks much scarier than that. Any idea what it is, and whether it indicates some kind of problem? (The pine cone in the picture should give you some idea of the size.)
10 answers
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I know oozing sap can be a sign of pine beetles, and that is a serious problem around here. I think your best bet is to take a branch to your local cooperative extension office and have them investigate. http://extension.uga.edu/
![3po3]()
3po3
on Jan 19, 2013
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Does your tree otherwise seem healthy? If the damage is caused by pine pitch beetles, you should be able to see "pitch tubes" if you look closely at your tree. For an example, and more info, see this from Hometalk member and Georgia Gardener Walter Reeves: http://www.walterreeves.com/insects-and-animals/southern-pine-beetle/
![Douglas Hunt]()
Douglas Hunt
on Jan 20, 2013
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If it is sticky and resinous I would say it is in the "sap" group. If it is slimy or gelatinous it might be a slime mold.
![KMS Woodworks]()
KMS Woodworks
on Jan 20, 2013
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Thanks, all. I will look for those pitch tubes and maybe visit the local extension office too.
![Melissa G]()
Melissa G
on Jan 20, 2013
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Just wanted to update everyone -- I contacted the county extension service and they identified it as a fungus that grows on dead wood. It does not attack live trees and is nothing to worry about unless I see a lot of dead branches in the yard, which I'm not.
![Melissa G]()
Melissa G
on Jan 26, 2013
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Very interesting. thanks for the update. Glad they could help. That's putting taxpayer dollars to great use.
![3po3]()
3po3
on Jan 26, 2013
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Good news.
![Douglas Hunt]()
Douglas Hunt
on Jan 27, 2013
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Its pine sap. An old pine stump will have what some people call rich lighter pine you can use it to start the fire place.
![Rose Hopkins]()
Rose Hopkins
on Dec 31, 2014
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so if the goo is fungus on a dead wood, don't you have to wonder if the tree will die and fall and when?
![Beverly]()
Beverly
on Jan 02, 2015
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We have those quite often here in the South. It is a jelly like mold that is very squishy. My older brother used to call them 'Gooey Bears", lol It is so yucky when you reach to grab a branch and get a handful of that 'oook', yuk..... Harmless but repulsive.
![Linda]()
Linda
on Feb 28, 2015
3po3
on Jan 19, 2013
Douglas Hunt
on Jan 20, 2013
KMS Woodworks
on Jan 20, 2013
Melissa G
on Jan 20, 2013
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