There’s nothing quite like a stroll through the park when the trees are in full bloom. It’s beautiful, it smells amazing, and it’s the perfect way to spend an afternoon—until you try to sit down. If you’ve ever gone to take a load off on a park bench under a lime tree (also known as a linden) only to find it’s covered in a sticky, tacky mess, you know exactly what I’m talking about.
What’s the deal with the sticky residue?
You might be wondering why these benches get so gummy specifically during the blooming season. At first glance, it seems like it must be nectar dripping from the blossoms. It makes sense, right? Linden trees are a massive food source for bees and are often planted specifically to help local pollinators. Plus, that sticky texture definitely screams “high sugar content.”
It’s actually aphid leftovers
Believe it or not, that sticky coating isn’t nectar at all—it’s something called honeydew. And despite the sweet-sounding name, it has nothing to do with actual honey. It’s actually the waste produced by aphids. These tiny pests tend to have a major population boom right when the lindens are flowering. The young aphids have a huge appetite, and they love to latch onto the leaves of linden and maple trees. They’re mainly after the proteins in the sap; they don’t need all the carbohydrates, so they “filter” them out and excrete a sugary liquid. That’s the honeydew raining down on everything below.
Dealing with the sticky mess
While it’s easy enough to just avoid a sticky park bench, honeydew becomes a real headache if you happen to park your car under one of these trees. If the residue is fresh, a quick car wash usually does the trick. However, if it sits in the sun and bakes on, it gets tough. Even worse, fungi can start to grow in the sugar, which can actually damage your paint job. If you’re dealing with dried-on gunk, I recommend using a detailing clay bar rather than scrubbing with a cloth to avoid scratching your finish. If you’re heading to the car wash, keep these tips in mind:
- Always opt for a program that includes a pre-wash to soak the residue.
- If you have to park under those trees again, make sure to get a hard wax treatment to create a protective barrier for your paint.