Apricot tree bleeding sap

[Sandyb]

Can someone explain to me why my apricot tree(s) are bleeding sap 8 -10 inches from the ground

 

[Sandyb]

Puzzling….

 

[Chuck]

It is almost impossible to say why a stone fruit like an apricot is bleeding sap from pictures. The name of the problem is gummosis. It is caused from one or all of the causes I will list. I would say that the number one reason in you case are pests. With grass and weeds growing and touching the trunk of the tree invites insects of all kinds but the number one insect are borers. They chew through the bark and into the tree causing a wound that will leak sap. The second reason is nutrition. I don't know when you last fertilized but I see numerous yellow leaves and other leaves that are a light green color. The third reason is the enviornment. I do not know where you are located but environmental stress cause by excessive temperatures can be a major factor with gummosis. The fourth reason for this is a mechanical injury cause by any number of things such as being hit with a string trimmer.

 

[Sandyb]

Thank yiu

 

[Sandyb]

Thanks…I will start by weeding and feeding

 

[Chuck]

Thanks…I will start by weeding and feeding

It would be much better if you removed all of the grass and laid down about a 3 inch layer of mulch around the base of the tree in a 3 or 4 foot diameter circle.

 

[Logan]

It could be canker, i have it in my cherry tree, it does recover and keep growing.

 

[Meadowlark]

It could be canker, i have it in my cherry tree, it does recover and keep growing.

I think you may be on to something...I ran this by AI, and it said its possibly early canker. I don't trust AI as much as I trust @Logan but both suggesting is worth noting.

AI offered this diagnostic approach and treatment:

1. Inspect the area​

Scrape a small patch of bark near the gum:

• Healthy wood = light/cream colored
• Canker = brown, cinnamon, or sour‑smelling wood

If the wood is brown, it’s canker.

2. Prune out infected wood (the main treatment)​

• Cut well below the visible canker — at least 6–8 inches into healthy wood.
• Prune only in dry weather, ideally late spring or summer, not winter.
  • Winter pruning increases infection risk.
• Sterilize tools between cuts (bleach solution or alcohol).

 

[Logan]

Thank you @Meadowlark my brother knows a lot about trees and when i told him about mine that's what he said, on my tree a branch died back from it but the rest is fine, it's been like it for a long time.
We did have a apricot tree that had it but it couldn't be saved it was all over.

I'd go with AI it seems correct.

 

[nao57]

It could be canker, i have it in my cherry tree, it does recover and keep growing.

Cherry trees get this MORE than anything else. Once cherry trees get it, its almost impossible to get rid of.

But for the opening poster, apricot trees have pretty good resilience and are higher rated for that and frost resistance, and ability to survive more than both cherry trees and peach trees. At least that's the case for my climate. (Other climates that ranking can change.)

I would try stuff like something that can get rid of pests like cinnamon. Cinnamon repels many types of insects but you have to check to make sure its not wearing off and apply again soon. Cinnamon is cheap and low chemical impact also compared to hard stuff that messes w soil like roundup.