Fig tree bleeds: tips on the cause and accompanying circumstances

Why does a fig tree bleed?

When off at the fig tree Cuts leaking juice, the vernacular associates it with a bleeding injury. In fact, the phenomenon has nothing to do with a bleeding person. The reason for the juice leakage is the damage to conduction pathways, which transport water and nutrients to the crown of the fig tree. These transport lines do not close immediately after a cut, so that the plant sap flows out. The higher the root pressure at the time of injury, the greater the sap flow. For this reason, a fig tree bleeds in spring before it buds leaves particularly intense.

Is it harmful if a fig tree bleeds?

Bleeding is for a fig tree not harmful. According to experts, it is a natural process with no serious consequences for a fig (Ficus carica).

For people, on the other hand, direct skin contact harmful with the sap of a fig. The milky secretion in the fig tree is poisonous. Phototoxic reactions, such as severe itching, reddening of the skin and blistering, are a threat, especially in connection with exposure to the sun. This warning applies to the pruning of all Ficus species, such as Weeping Fig (Ficus benjamini) or rubber tree (Ficus elastica).

Can I stop a fig tree from bleeding?

You can not preventthat a fig tree bleeds. However, when caring for the cut, there is the possibility of reducing the sap flow to a minimum. How to do it:

• Fig tree in February cut, before the juices rise and the leaves sprout.
• After a mild winter the fig tree after leaf sprouting cut when the juice pressure drops.