   Oak Leaf and Twig Galls - March 9, 2011 Jeff Schalau, Associate Agent, Agriculture & Natural Resources University of Arizona Cooperative Extension, Yavapai County When looking closely at our native oaks, you may observe unusual or distorted growths on their leaves, flowers, buds, or twigs. These growths are galls produced by small insects. The gall-forming insects rarely cause more than superficial damage to the plant. However, many gardeners are alarmed by the presence of these benign visitors. There is really no need to be alarmed by gall-formers. After reading about them, you may even begin to respect them for their ingenuity. When looking closely at our native oaks, you may observe unusual or distorted growths on their leaves, flowers, buds, or twigs. These growths are galls produced by small insects. The gall-forming insects rarely cause more than superficial damage to the plant. However, many gardeners are alarmed by the presence of these benign visitors. There is really no need to be alarmed by gall-formers. After reading about them, you may even begin to respect them for their ingenuity. After hatching, the tiny larvae feed on the plant tissue and create a home surrounded by live plant tissue. The developing larva continues to produce plant growth compounds that maintain and control host plant cell division. The gall provides protection and food to the developing larva. The larva matures, pupates within the gall, then chews its way out of the gall when mature. Each species of gall forming insect creates a uniquely colored, shaped, and sized gall. Most insect caused galls on Arizona oaks are not harmful to the plant. Affected leaves often tolerate gall formation with little more than cosmetic damage. Affected twigs are occasionally killed. Pacifists, such as myself, consider this akin to natural pruning. On eastern oak species, twig galls reportedly cause significant damage to pin and willow oaks. In nearly all cases prevention of gall formation is exceedingly difficult and is not considered practical. After all, the developing insect is entirely encased in living tissue. Systemic insecticides may offer some measure of control, but the long-term damage caused does not warrant the energy and expense of an insecticide application. I recommend simply tolerating (and possibly enjoying) the various unusual shapes. You may choose to prune them out if they offend your sense of plant aesthetics. Natural enemies of gall formers are almost always present where native plant communities are affected. In addition, natural variability within populations of oaks of the same species will cause a range of "bud break" dates. This allows some oaks to fend off the gall formers better than others. For example, where there is intense early season pressure by gall formers, the individual trees that break bud later could have a distinct selective advantage. This would especially affect populations where gall formers cause damage significant enough to decrease the vigor of the infested trees or if gall formers affected acorn production. Our native hackberry trees (Celtis reticulata) also commonly have galls on leaves. These are caused by psyllids: small insects resembling miniature cicadas. Again, these insects cause little lasting damage to the affected tree. Galls formed by mites can cause more significant damage: especially to non-native ornamental or fruit trees such as pears. Here, pesticide applications may be appropriate in order to protect the fruit crop or vigor of the tree. If nothing else, I hope that readers will learn to observe their plants for abnormal growth. Then try to determine what caused the abnormality. Cut open the affected plant tissue. Explore the tissue with a hand lens and look for signs of insect larvae, adults, exit holes, etc. If you find something interesting, but not fully developed, you can continue to explore the galls and watch the insect develop into an adult. Follow the Backyard Gardener on Twitter – use the link shown below. If you have other gardening questions, call the Master Gardener line in the Cottonwood office at 646-9113 ext. 14 or e-mail us at cottonwoodmg@yahoo.com and be sure to include your name, address and phone number. Find past Backyard Gardener columns or provide feedback at the Backyard Gardener web site: http://cals.arizona.edu/yavapai/anr/hort/byg/.  |