leaf excretion

[mattw]

In the back yard of our apartment building, our "Little Leaf Lindens" (cousing to the American Linden), has, on the cuticle of the upper epidermis, a clear sticky substance appearing much like melted white sugar driplets (although that is just an analogy). What could it be? It has been very hot and dry here recently, if that is a clue.

[Miyis]

I don't understand ,
do you have the plants photo ?

[ivygirl_5]

It might just be leaf aphids. The leaves of trees like Littleleaf Linden are very attractive to leaf aphids and these aphids produce lots of sweet secretions (honeydew) which can build up on the tops of the leaves.

Or it could be Guttation -- Sugar droplets secreted by the leaves common in many plants. (Sorry, I was told that I'm wrong about guttation).

I hope this helps.

[MrMistery]

guttation is the excretion of WATER from the xylem when transpiration is not possible, not the excretion of sugar from the phloem