I have a large white oak tree (75' tall, 3'+ diameter 4' off ground) near the house that began leaking sap last week just above ground on a large root base. The sap is actually foaming where it is leaking out (pic attached) and is pooling, with the pool of sap boiling with some type of maggots or larvae living in it. It was not hit with a lawnmower or damaged in any way that I know, so I do not know if it is possibly insect or disease related. I know that there are several diseases that attack trees that have odd symptoms including sap leakage, some that have almost immediate fatal results. I see no other symptoms in the canopy or leaves; no leaf wilting or spotting, or small branches dying up high. I would like to save the tree if possible, but if it is some disease known to be fatal, would probably like to have it cut down and use for timber while the heartwood is still in reasonably good shape.
