Why Is My Ash Tree Dripping Sticky Stuff in Mesa, AZ?
Is your ash tree leaving sticky drops on your patio, driveway, outdoor furniture, or car? Are its leaves shiny, sticky, curled, or covered with a dark coating? These clues can point to insects feeding in the canopy rather than sap leaking from the trunk.
Warner of Warner's Tree Surgery has more than 50 years of experience working with trees in the Phoenix area. He can inspect your ash tree, investigate the symptoms, and explain whether treatment is needed. For help in Mesa and nearby East Valley communities, call 480-969-8808.
Watch: Sticky Leaves and Dripping Ash Trees
What Is the Sticky Material Under My Ash Tree?
Sticky droplets falling from the foliage may be honeydew, a sugary liquid produced by certain sap-feeding insects. Aphids are one possible source. Whiteflies and soft scales can also produce honeydew. An inspection helps determine which insect, if any, is responsible.
Material coming directly from a trunk wound or cracked branch is a different symptom. Note where the liquid begins, and photograph the area before cleaning it.
Signs to Look For
- Sticky leaves or shiny droplets beneath the canopy.
- Curled leaves containing small insects or white waxy material.
- Ants traveling along the trunk and branches.
- A dark, soot-like coating on sticky leaves or nearby surfaces.
- Small white insects that fly when foliage is disturbed.
Why Are Some Leaves Turning Black?
Sooty mold can grow on insect honeydew and create a dark surface coating. That coating alone does not establish that the tree has an internal fungal disease. Finding the source of the honeydew is an important part of deciding what to do.
Does Sticky Honeydew Mean My Ash Tree Is Dying?
Not necessarily. Ash leafcurl aphids can make a considerable mess without threatening the survival of an otherwise healthy landscape tree. However, dead branches, a thinning canopy, or continuing decline deserve a separate assessment rather than being blamed on the sticky material alone.
What Should I Do Before Treating the Tree?
- Photograph the whole tree, affected leaves, and any visible insects.
- Record when the dripping started and whether it occurs beneath the canopy or at a specific wound.
- Observe accessible foliage from the ground. Avoid climbing the tree to investigate.
- Have the insect identified before selecting a spray or other treatment.
- Ask whether monitoring and protecting beneficial insects would be sufficient.
How Warner Approaches a Sticky Ash Tree
Warner starts by looking for the source of the problem. An inspection may include checking affected foliage, looking for insects and ants, and assessing the overall condition of the canopy. The goal is to explain what is happening and recommend an appropriate next step. Treatment is not automatically necessary simply because honeydew is present.
Ash Tree Help in Mesa and Nearby Communities
For help with an ash tree in Mesa, Tempe, Gilbert, Chandler, or Scottsdale, call Warner's Tree Surgery at 480-969-8808 to discuss your location and the symptoms you are seeing.
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