Weeping Cherry issue

Question: Any idea what this is caused from and more importantly, how to treat it ? Its a weeping cherry in Ellicott City. thanks

responder: Answered by theHome and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied September 30, 2024, 11:57 AM EDT
response: The sticky amber-looking sap is called gummosis. Gummosis on these trees is a reaction to stress, or damage. Most often, it is due to bark damage of some sort, such as from weed whackers/mowers or from a boring insect (called peach tree borers) that can drill into these trees. The pushing of sap is an attempt to flush out the intruder. You can learn more about this and other issues these trees can have at our publication here:  https://extension.umd.edu/resource/ornamental-cherry-trees-identify-and-manage-problems/ Unfortunately, once borers are within a tree, there is not a lot that you can do, though you can often prolong its life by trying to keep the tree less stressed overall.  Do we see landscape fabric stretched over the root area, including on the big root off to the right? We'd remove/cut out all of that that you can.   With climate change, growing conditions have changed, and in the last couple of years, there have been prolonged high heat and serious drought conditions. Pull any weeds around the tree and give it a layer of mulch no deeper than 2 to 3 inches, kept pulled back from contract with the trunk. Offer it water when we don't get an inch of rain per week. Here is our watering information:  https://extension.umd.edu/resource/watering-trees-and-shrubs/  Ornamental cherry trees often start to decline after 20 years or so, but you can keep it as long as you like if it pleases you, especially with blooms in the spring and colorful fall leaves.  I had one that slowly declined for many years, losing limbs one by one. I allowed it to stay near my bird feeders, even after it died completely and have been amazed to watch how much wildlife, especially songbirds and woodpeckers have used it for food, shelter and nesting sites (within hollow branches).  Christine

responder: The Question Asker Replied September 30, 2024, 12:35 PM EDT
response: Thank you Christine for sharing your knowledge and experience with this issue. Should we attempt to remove the sap or is it beneficial in its process ?  Your feedback is most appreciated!  Suzie

responder: Answered by theHome and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied September 30, 2024, 12:51 PM EDT
response: No, you don't need to remove it, which could further damage the bark.

responder: The Question Asker Replied September 30, 2024, 1:10 PM EDT
response: Thanks again! Really appreciate your informaiton!  On Monday, September 30, 2024 at 12:51:15 PM EDT, Ask Extension wrote:

responder: Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied September 30, 2024, 3:06 PM EDT
response: You're welcome!