Certified arborist here.
What you're looking at is a bacterial infection called Alcoholic Slime Flux. Its a fairly minor disease, as far as tree diseases go. More of an eyesore than anything else. The bacteria get underneath the tree's bark through a bug hole or crack, and it causes the sap inside the tree to ferment. The fermented sap leaks out as the black fluid you're seeing through cracks in the bark. It can attract insects since it contains some sugars. It gets the name alcoholic slime flux because it smells somewhat like an old stale beer.
I usually explain it as the tree version of a skin rash. An annoyance, but not life threatening. Slime flux usually clears up on its own in 1-2 years. No treatment is needed. However, if you want to disinfect the area, and make it less attractive to bugs, I recommend mixing 1-2 ounces of Clorox with a quart of water, and lightly spraying the spot a few times a week.
Based on the surrounding bark, and the photo of your tree's crown, I'd say the tree is in overall good health. I don't see any visible signs of stress or health decline.
Certified arborist here.
What you're looking at is a bacterial infection called Alcoholic Slime Flux. Its a fairly minor disease, as far as tree diseases go. More of an eyesore than anything else. The bacteria get underneath the tree's bark through a bug hole or crack, and it causes the sap inside the tree to ferment. The fermented sap leaks out as the black fluid you're seeing through cracks in the bark. It can attract insects since it contains some sugars. It gets the name alcoholic slime flux because it smells somewhat like an old stale beer.
I usually explain it as the tree version of a skin rash. An annoyance, but not life threatening. Slime flux usually clears up on its own in 1-2 years. No treatment is needed. However, if you want to disinfect the area, and make it less attractive to bugs, I recommend mixing 1-2 ounces of Clorox with a quart of water, and lightly spraying the spot a few times a week.
Based on the surrounding bark, and the photo of your tree's crown, I'd say the tree is in overall good health. I don't see any visible signs of stress or health decline.