It is worrying if milky sap flows out in streams after pruning the fig tree. Here you can read useful background information about sap flow on figs after injuries to the wood. That's why a fig tree bleeds from its cuts.
What does it mean when a fig tree bleeds?
When a fig tree bleeds,plant sap flows outThis process is not harmful to a figThe cause is damaged transport pipes for water and nutrients, which do not immediately close after being cut back. A fig tree bleeds most heavily before the leaves emerge.
Why does a fig tree bleed?
When sap comes out ofcut wounds on the fig tree, popular wisdom associates it with a bleeding injury. In fact, the phenomenon has nothing to do with a person bleeding. The reason for the sap leakage is theinjury to the pathways that transport water and nutrients to the crown in the fig tree. These transport lines do not close immediately after a cut, so the plant sap flows out. The higher the root pressure at the time of injury, the greater the sap flow. For this reason, a fig tree bleeds particularly intensively in the spring before the leaves emerge.
Is it harmful if a fig tree bleeds?
Bleeding is not harmful to a fig tree. According to experts, this is a natural process with no serious consequences for a fig (Ficus carica).
However,direct skin contactwith the sap of a fig is harmful to humans. The milky secretion in the fig tree ispoisonous Especially when exposed to sunlight, there is a risk of phototoxic reactions, such as severe itching, reddening of the skin and blistering. This warning applies to the pruning care of all Ficus species, such as birch fig (Ficus benjamini) or rubber tree (Ficus elastica).
Can I stop a fig tree from bleeding?
You can'tprevent a fig tree from bleeding. However, as part of pruning care, it is possible to reduce the flow of sap to a minimum. This is how it works:
- Prune the fig tree in February before the juices rise and the leaves sprout.
- After a mild winter, cut the fig tree after the leaves have sprouted when the sap pressure drops.
Tip
Many trees and bushes are bleeding
The phenomenon of bleeding cuts is widespread among trees and bushes. The leaders are white birch (Betula pendula) and sugar maple (Acer saccharum) with up to 5 liters of sap flow per day. Furthermore, the sap flows freely from the grape vine (Vitis vinifera), tulip tree (Liriodendron tulipifera) and walnut tree (Juglans) when you cut the trees.
