Plant Doctor Archive

Bleeding Eucalyptus

I have two Eucalyptus ficifolia (8 yrs old) that have been bleeding red gum. The first one started bleeding about two years ago, particularly around the lower trunk. It appeared to stop its growth. There was none of the usual spring growth, and appeared that the leaves had dulled down. The bleeding now seems to have stopped and there is more leaf growth. Now a second ficifolia has started bleeding around the lower trunk and growth appears to have stopped even though it is the growing season. What is the matter with them?

This is quite common in Eucalyptus trees and is known as 'kino' — a reddish brown gummy substance that is formed by Eucalyptus species due to injury (insect, fungi, mechanical or fire). Some chemical sprays and animal urine are also known to stimulate kino.

This ooze is part of the tree's defence mechanism and prevents fungus diseases entering the tree where there is an open wound. In periods of drought, trees do not produce the ooze as much as they do in periods of high rainfall.

You do not need to do anything about your tree bleeding. Typically trees will have a growth spurt in spring and again in autumn; in the hotter months growth slows down.

Advice by Dr Dan Blanchon from Unitec's Diploma in Sustainable Horticulture and Bachelor of Resource Management.

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