The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Smallholding => Land Management => Topic started by: Buttermilk on July 19, 2018, 07:50:13 am

Title: Sweating oak trees?
Post by: Buttermilk on July 19, 2018, 07:50:13 am: I have noticed that all the local oak trees have leaves covered with a sticky substance. This has dripped onto gates and the ground. Where it is on the tarmac lane it is really slippery.

As this will be on the grass is it safe for the sheep to eat? The grass is greener near the trees as there is more shade. I have 84 oak trees surounding my fields, each dripping this stuff and if I have to fence them off I will be feeding my winter stocks of forage.
Title: Re: Sweating oak trees?
Post by: Lingon on July 19, 2018, 08:55:59 am: It's probably just honeydew: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honeydew_(secretion)

Wheather it's safe for sheep, I really don't know, as I have never had any.
Title: Re: Sweating oak trees?
Post by: Penninehillbilly on July 19, 2018, 10:58:02 am: I would agree its honeydew, poo from aphids ;D .
Can't imagine it being a problem, maybe the reverse?
Title: Re: Sweating oak trees?
Post by: Buttermilk on July 19, 2018, 01:50:22 pm: We must have an awful lot of aphids as nearly every leaf on every tree is glistening.
Title: Re: Sweating oak trees?
Post by: Womble on July 19, 2018, 02:43:43 pm: Quote from: Penninehillbilly on July 19, 2018, 10:58:02 am
I would agree honeydew

I told you not to call me that in public! :-[
Title: Re: Sweating oak trees?
Post by: Penninehillbilly on July 19, 2018, 03:58:17 pm: Quote from: Womble on July 19, 2018, 02:43:43 pm
Quote from: Penninehillbilly on July 19, 2018, 10:58:02 am
I would agree honeydew

I told you not to call me that in public! :-[
;D
Title: Re: Sweating oak trees?
Post by: Penninehillbilly on July 19, 2018, 04:06:58 pm: Earlier in the year I noticed the sycamore new growth was covered with aphids, never seen as many, so the aphids will be at the top new growth. In fact when I was near the trees I kept getting like spots of rain on my face, impossible I thought, clear blue sky. Then realised what it was - yuk!