Red Bark

Recent trips on highways along the Ohio river revealed the so-called Red Bark Phenomenon (RBP) continues on American sycamore (Platanus occidentalis). RBP appears as orangish-red to deep red staining on the bark. Vertical streaks are common making trees look like they’re oozing blood.

I posted a BYGL Alert last year on peculiar red staining occurring on the bark of sycamores (Platanus occidentalis) and London planetrees (Platanus x acerifolia). Some of the reddening included streaks that made trees look like they were oozing blood.