oak galls

[klimbinfool]

I have done some research on oak gall, but have come with nothing conclusive for Black Oaks in my area.Most evryone that I have talked to or articles that I have read, say they dont bother the tree.True in some oaks, such as Valley oaks (Cynipid Wasp). However,black Oaks ,I see and feel differently on this opinion.I have watched major die back caused in the limb structure do to the gall.Other then prunning it out, does anyone have some helpful info?

Thanks
Greg

 

[Tom Dunlap]

Greg,

Everything that I've ever heard is that leavf galls don't hurt the tree. There might be some kind of secondary problem associated with the galls.

Drop a note to Vera Krischik, krisc001@maroon.tc.umn.edu She is an entomologist at the U of MN. She should be able to answer your question or connect you with a local entomologist.

Tom

 

[klimbinfool]

Thanks tom,
I'll do that. I have a feeling it might be a horned gall. They are on the stem creating a swollen spot. Wich eventually opens to elongated openings on the gall itself.

thanks
Greg

 

[Mark Chisholm]

Greg, I would also like to hear a response on this. We get tons of Gowdy Oak gall here, especially on Pin oaks. They really stand out, unsightly and can't be good for structural integrity. I have also heard that you can prune some out, but that will disfigure or even destroy some trees that get a lot of it. Anyone know the facts on these "stem" galls?

 

[evans]

There is a good research article in the journal of arboriculture. That deals with the control of horned oak gall. It may be of some help. It details several diffrent control methods and their results. I do not remember the specific issue. However it was one of the volumes that came out this year or late last year. We have tried a few of the contol methods from this article with some results.