Pohutakawa Problem ;-(

trogedon, Sep 14, 1:29am
Our Pohutakawa tree is producing sap (or something similar) that has gone on the neighbour's car (some weeks ago) and now on their house / windows.
I've owned this house since Aug '95 and it's never (previous neighbours may not have noticed / said) been a problem before. I'm wondering if the dry Winter here in Auckland is causing it to do that. Any suggestions? Who
could I ask?
pauldw, Sep 14, 2:33am
Sure it is the Pohutukawa? Locally everything is covered in Pine pollen.
mrsvonflik, Sep 14, 3:14am
I live under a huge pohutakawa tree.Have never had sap on house or car.
I would check tree to see if it is actually leaking out.
Never heard of this before.
tweake, Sep 14, 3:32am
have you got a pic?
lyma1, Sep 14, 4:07am
Are there bee hives in the vicinity? This was found to be the problem in a suburb here. The bees empty out, if you are in flight path near their exit flight, consider it. I think it was when they exit in the morning more so than returning to sleep for the night.
Edited to add :Here is the link, they do it coming or leaving hive.
Neighbours had glue like substance on windows, laundry, cars.

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/the-country/news/article.cfm?c_id=16&objectid=11975032
trogedon, Sep 14, 5:55am
Thanks for the thought and the link (which I read). It's very suburban here (apart from some old orchards) and very few bees (sadly).
lyma1, Sep 14, 6:33am
It was suburban there too, with one large section being used. Check if the old orchard is now leased to an apiarist or a home hobbiest.
tweake, Sep 14, 6:36am
there is a gazillion bee hives in auckland especially Waitakeres.
your neighbours could have hives and you don't know it.
oh_hunnihunni, Sep 14, 7:34pm
Bees love making hives in old pohutukawa. Usually they are high enough to not be spotted easily.
trogedon, Sep 15, 4:13am
Neighbours with hives - I'm not going to ask them about their personal health problems!
lyma1, Sep 15, 6:11am
Aw go on, you're itching to.
trogedon, Sep 16, 4:49am
Here is a photo of a small part I took off it. It looks healthy to me. Any thoughts on this? https://trademe.tmcdn.co.nz/photoserver/full/1400894226.jpg
pauldw, Sep 16, 7:44am
I have a similar variegated one. They aren't quite as vigorous as a green one and occasional new shoots are green. Prune them off or they'll take over.
gabbysnana, Sep 16, 10:45pm
your tree so your liable for its damage, do something sooner rather than later.
nimade, Sep 17, 1:16am
As a side note, per your picture, I've not seen Pohutakawa with the yellowing in the center on the leaves before. Perhaps related or a different issue altogether?
tweake, Sep 17, 3:45am
a photo of the stuff on their windows /cars would be more useful.
i don't know tress very well so no comment on the leaves.
trogedon, Sep 29, 6:13pm
Thanks for your thoughts. I took the above to a plant place, managed to speak to a woman who was really knowledgeable and it turned out it has a mite or mites. I've not put some good fertiliser around the tree and arranging to have it sprayed.