With the summer heat in full force in Brentwood, residents may seek refuge under the shade of the city’s many trees. However, those who step under the wrong tree may find themselves wading through a Velcro-like stickiness thanks to sap-covered sidewalks.

The production of tree sap this year has been more than usual for this time of year, though the city has identified the source of the increase.

Aphids, the small, soft-bodied insect that feeds primarily on the juices of plants and sap, are the cause for the increase in the sticky “sap-like” substance found on city sidewalks this summer, according to Brentwood Parks Maintenance Manager Aaron Wanden. Additionally, Wanden added that this year has been a particularly bad year for aphids, as infestations have been experienced city-wide.

“During the late summer months, some city trees experience an increase in the amount of secretion producing pests from trees in our city parks and landscaped right-of-ways,” Wanden said. “The amount of vegetation has increased tremendously when this occurs, resulting in prime habitat for leaf-sucking insects like aphids.”

When aphids feed, Wanden added, they inject saliva into their host plant to help digest the sap. After feeding, they secrete a sticky, shiny waste product called honeydew, a material rich in sugar that attracts ants, yellow jackets, and other insects that feed on it during the late summer and fall. Most people refer to this honeydew substance as “sap”. While Wanden said that the trees predominately affected are the Hackberry, Crape Myrtle and Chinese Elm trees, other varieties of trees may also be affected, including privately maintained trees from residents.

“Staff is very much aware of the issue and works closely with city contractors to help remedy the pest issues in City-maintained trees,” Wanden said. “Staff have been power washing parks, sidewalks, shade covers, play equipment and other amenities in our parks on a regular basis trying to rid the nuisance of this sticky liquid. Cooler temperatures and wet weather in the near future will also aid in the control of the pests.”

Wanden added if residents are experiencing similar issues with their privately-maintained trees, including trees on the street adjacent to their property that are the responsibility of the homeowner, staff recommends for residents to contact a local pest control company to better assess their individual problem and properly identify the exact pest and determine a course of action.

Although some of the trees planted by the city are the responsibility of homeowners to maintain, they are not allowed to remove them without going through a bureaucratic process with the city.

According to the Brentwood Code of Ordinances (7.03.30-Permits required to trim or cut in public places.), it is unlawful for any person to trim, cut, mutilate, or injure any street or city-owned tree, or the roots or branches, growing upon any public street, curb, or place in the city or to injure or impair the growth or life of any such tree, roots, or branches without a permit. If removal of the tree is warranted, residents are required to apply for a no-fee encroachment permit for removal along with replacement of the tree in question. According to ordinance 7.03.050 (Planting of street trees), “no street trees shall hereafter be planted, removed or replaced except in accordance with the urban forest guidelines.” Encroachment permits may be obtained by calling the Parks and Recreation Department at 925-516-5444.

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