I don't know about in Mass., but in the coastal flatwoods there is a cockaded woodpecker who pecks a hole into the heartwood of a pine tree about 30 feet off the ground and raises its brood. The sap is a deterrent from ants and predators. This bird is on the endangered list in Texas as habitat destruction continues.
You might see if there is a hole up in the tree. =
Also, an arborist might check and see if there is insect activity.
Here is a general l> =
I've a sticky problem
> =
> My neighbor has a huge majestic pine tree, whose branches overhang
> my driveway. I actually like this tree but, its been dropping sap > onto the cars. > =
> I've lived here about 6 years and don't recall it dropping this
> much sap. Daily there are about 5 to 10 new dropplets on the car.
> And these are a real chore to clean off.
> =
> I'm wondering if anyone can tell me why this tree is dropping so
> much sap? It looks like a healthy tree to me. I live in Massachusetts
> and the summer has been fairly hot and dry, but nothing out of the
> ordinary. Does dropping sap indicate there could be something wrong
> with the tree? Or is this normal?