Compared to other fruit trees, the walnut tree bleeds excessively. Hobby gardeners are often surprised by the large amount of tree sap that comes out when cutting. The reason for the massive flow of sap is the strong roots in the soil. They create intense outward pressure. Now the question arises as to whether it is bad if the walnut bleeds so much. In this guide you will find out everything you need to know about how to deal with a bleeding walnut tree.
Is it bad if a walnut tree bleeds?
A bleeding walnut tree is not necessarily dangerous as long as it is cut in late summer and the wound heals sufficiently. Allow him to bleed as this is a natural defensive reaction. Avoid tree wax and blowtorches to prevent damage.
Is heavy bleeding in walnuts dangerous?
No. A he althy walnut tree can usually cope with temporarily bleeding profusely. However, you should definitely not underestimate intense flow.
Note: Excessive sap loss can cause serious damage to the tree's delicate piping system.
The timing plays an important role:
If there is frost during or shortly after pruning the walnut tree, the sap freezes in the wounds. Then tissue tears and further damage are not far away.
In addition, the increased humidity provides optimal conditions for pests and fungi to spread.
This means that you should make sure to cut your walnut at the right time, namely when there is relatively little tree sap coming out:
- NOT after leaf fall (winter and spring)
- instead in late summer (August, September)
Between mid-August and the end of September the conditions are ideal: the tree does not sprout and is not yet preparing for winter.
What to do if the walnut tree bleeds a lot?
If the cutting of the walnut tree cannot be prevented at another time (e.g. due to storm damage), you should let the tree bleed.
Don't try to stop the flow of the wound!
Ultimately, bleeding is a natural defense reaction of the walnut tree to keep its wounds clean.
Especially if the wounds are not too large, the tree does not have a big problem with losing sap. Don't panic if it continues to bleed for weeks. At some point it will stop again - usually without harm to your walnut tree.
Note: Gardeners used to flame bleeding tree wounds with a blowtorch. You must not do this under any circumstances (also do not use tree wax!). With such methods you only cause more damage - by destroying the cambium, which contributes to wound healing.
In short: your walnut tree doesn't need help if it's bleeding. He heals himself.