Sticky Substance on California Ave

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  • #817811

    Wes C. Addle
    Participant

    So lately I’ve noticed that the sidewalk in all areas on California ave have patches of a dark sticky substance. I’ve noticed this in the alleys behind California ave as well. Anyone else notice this and know what it might be? I’ll take a pic tonight if I’m out and about. I know it’s there between the Admiral & Alaska junctions for sure.

    #825419

    miws
    Participant

    Tree sap?

    Mike

    #825420

    Wes C. Addle
    Participant

    Looks different than tree sap. Not quite as thick. It was also all over some of my neighbors cars in the back alley behind California, where we have no trees.

    #825421

    clulessinws
    Participant

    Something flying off of all of the dump trucks darkening our streets as of late?

    #825422

    TanDL
    Participant

    It’s drippings from the trees the city planted some years ago along California Ave. This happens every hot summer and it’s annoying because any tree leaves or bits that fall then stick to the sap-sticky sidewalk and are difficult to sweep up. On wetter years it’s not bad, but dry, hot years, you can count on it.

    #825423

    Bonnie
    Participant

    Yes, it’s the trees. Sometimes my shoes will even stick to it! Yuck! I don’t know why they planted those trees but I think they aren’t allowed to plant them anymore. They have a list of approved trees now and I don’t think they are on them for that reason. Or I could be wrong.

    #825424

    Wes C. Addle
    Participant

    Interesting that it’s the trees. It feels more like spilled soda than it does sap. I was more inclined to think it was something off of a vehicle like a street sweeper or something only because I’ve seen it where there are no trees.

    #825425

    miws
    Participant

    I seem to remember encountering this, along California Av, over the years.

    One particular area that come to mind is the east sidewalk at/near the Hudson St stairs.

    Mike

    #825426

    HelperMonkey
    Participant

    It’s definitely the sticky substance that comes off the trees. It’s pernicious. We either put up with it or they chop down the trees like they did at Fairmount Park. I’ll take the sticky mess over a denuded California Ave, even if it means washing the car twice as often or picking gross sticky leaves off the bottoms of my shoes after a walk.

    #825427

    me on 28th Ave SW
    Participant

    I was told that it is actually “honeydew” from the aphids in the trees but whatever it is, it’s VERY sticky and an annual event in the summer going back at least 25 years that I’m aware of. I have a very clear memory of my windshield from parking under those trees when I lived on California Ave in 1992. It is also the reason the concrete under those trees is darker. If you stand under one of those trees you can feel the “mist”. Yuck.

    #825428

    trickycoolj
    Participant

    The landscaping at my work also has the sticky trees. When it’s nice out for long stretches the sticky film doesn’t get washed off the walkways and parking lots and just builds up. The first rain it’s then it’s like an oil slick until it washes away which takes a good hard rain. Just don’t park your car under it or any leaves will stick to it and can mark light colored paint.

    #825429

    Wes C. Addle
    Participant

    Interesting. Thanks everyone!

    #825430

    dhg
    Participant

    Yep, not sap. Aphid poop. The trees need to be sprayed.

    #825431

    Bonnie
    Participant

    Well, whatever it is it is from the trees! :)

    #825432

    TanDL
    Participant

    Interesting. That’s a lot of aphid poop. Ha… Come to think of it, I’ve seen a lot of ladybugs around in past years. Maybe someone tried to deal with it at some point. I guess the message is to be nice to any ladybugs we see along Calif. Ave.

    #825433

    JayDee
    Participant

    The Metropolitan Market WB stop is the worst. Go west past California though there is one tree there too. Back off if has rained and it will be better sort of.

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