I have a shade tree in my front yard. I do not know what kind of tree it is. It is one of those tree's that builders plant because they grow fast. It is a large tree that shades most of my front lawn. I have noticed in several places where limbs had been cut off, a black moist ooze that seems to come out of the "sore" where the tree had been trimmed. It is occuring on two different cuts that are on oposite sides of the tree. Both cuts I believe happened a couple of seasons ago. The bark on the underside of these cuts is covered in the black moist powdery substance. Also this bark seems to be pulling away from the tree, and the area in general looks like rotting wood.

Any ideas on what this is, and how to treat it?

Found out the tree is an elm. These large black areas contain tiny larvae. Don't know what kind.

Tree Trunk Goop should take care of the problem. It contains diatamaceous earth to keep the bugs at bay as well as manure compost and soft rock phosphate to help the tree heal itself. You can buy it ready made, as a powder that you add water to (to make a paste), or you can make your own if you have access to all of the ingredients needed.

First off, clean the wounds with peroxide, then just glop some goop on, spread it and let it sit for about a week, rinse it off to see how things are progressing and reapply if/as needed until your tree has fully healed. Check the Tree Trunk Goop FAQ stickied to the top of the Tree forum for more details and good luck with the tree!

~Dave