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Name: Tiffany
Status: student
Grade: N/A
Location: N/A
Country: N/A
Date: N/A
Question:
I'm not quite sure how to put the question, but I will try my best. There are several oak trees in my back yard, I think they are specifically pin oaks. They have formed on some of the leaves green ball-like growths about an inch in size that sometimes fall to the ground. They resemble miniature chinese lanterns. The ball has a somewhat tough outer shell, almost like a thin skin of a fruit. Inside the ball is a fibery like web of veins and a small seed in the middle. I am trying to figure out what exactly these things are and if they are harmful to my oak trees.

Replies:
Sounds like oak galls caused by insects. The following should be helpful:

http://www.ento.psu.edu/extension/factsheets/gallsOnOak.htm

http://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profiles0900/oak_galls.asp

Anthony R. Brach, Ph.D.


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