Tree fungus/mold problem....

[drumbo]

So, this tree seems to have this "sap"-like substance on the leaves and also has a mold/fungus growing. Does anyone have a clue to what it might be?

[americanlawn]

Sooty mold growing off aphid honeydew on the Tulip tree. Won't harm the tree, but cars parked underneath may not appreciate the sticky spotting.

[Plant Buyer 83]

Sooty mold growing off aphid honeydew on the Tulip tree. Won't harm the tree, but cars parked underneath may not appreciate the sticky spotting.

Thats exactly what it is. Aphids, particularly Tuliptree aphid, can build up to large numbers leaving deposits of honeydew on lower leaves, cars, and other hard surfaces below. A black, sooty mold starts to grow on the honeydew. Although this does little permanent damage to the tree, the honeydew and sooty mold can be annoying.

[drumbo]

And this is exactly why I am a member of these forums! I love you guys!...in a totally straight, non-gay, kinda way.

[americanlawn]

And this is exactly why I am a member of these forums! I love you guys!...in a totally straight, non-gay, kinda way.

Ron Paul for President -- good man. I'll be at the Iowa Straw Poll this weekend.......for me, it's a toss-up between him and Huckabee. Anyways....I already know you're a good guy on this site. By the way, the tallest recorded Tulip tree was in southern Indiana. They get a little anthracnose sometimes, (as I suspected from your pic), but they are a very desireable/clean tree.:usflag:

[vegomatic40]

Drumbo...While aphids are certainly likely to be secreting honeydew with the usual sooty mold as a result, don't be to sure they are the cause. Tulip Poplars are also famous for "Tuliptree scale". These insects are very difficult to control and are likely to be in their most susceptible stage (crawlers) at this time. Tuliptree scale produces massive amounts of honeydew as well and are best indentified by looking on the underneath side of the leaves, stems and along the trunk. Do a google search for these guys for a positive ID with pictures. Applying insecticides during their crawler stage is the most effective means of control. Horticultural oil/Superior oils are not effective for this type of scale even at maximum rates.

[vegomatic40]

http://www.forestryimages.org/browse/detail.cfm?imgnum=0795081 I'll make it even easier.

[drumbo]

Thanks for the info Vego...I did see small, white insects on the undersides of the leaves. They almost looked like a residue...so, I'm assuming they are aphids (I am not thoroughly trained in insect ID'ing).