Year: 2018
Type: article
Abstract: Wetwood is caused by the bacterial infection of the heartwood of deciduous trees which creates a build-up of pressure within the tree and causes fluid to be exuded. The phenomenon of wetwood exudates forming streaks down the bark is known as slime flux. While wetwood is a well-studied subject because of its potential negative impacts on lumber quality, there is a paucity of research on the biology, ecology and distribution of slime flux. The research conducted here in Ontario, Canada used a visual survey to estimate the occurrence of slime flux in deciduous tree species. Local forests and parks in Southern Ontario were surveyed systematically in transects, targeting 100 trees per transect. If slime flux was observed, then source of the flux was also recorded. Among over 1700 trees inspected, 44 had visible signs of slime flux. Analyses showed that slime flux incidence was positively correlated with tree age, and that incidence differed among tree species, with greater incidence in parks than in forests. Slime flux occurred mainly from bark cracks at the bottom four meters of the tree base.
Source: The Forestry Chronicle
DOI: 10.5558/tfc2018-023
Authors: Hunter Roberts, Tom Hsiang
Institution: University of Guelph
Language: English
Subfield: Ecology
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W2807044752