Slime flux

Symptoms

- This disease results in persistent, sour-smelling, 'bleeding cankers' on the stem or at the base of many hardwoods. (Oaks are particularly prone) The first sign is usually areas of wet bark with an odd smell, which attracts insects. Bark can separate and sounds hollow when tapped.

On woody climbers such as Clematis, you will notice wilting and yellowing leaves or a failure to leaf in spring. Foul-smelling whitish-to-pink, thick, slimy ooze may be apparent at the base or in a puddle on the soil. The condition is usually fatal.