Question
Thanks, but I dont think so.  I did a little research and found something called "Galls" - a hard woody growth that forms around the twigs of oaks,  however I'm still not sure.  I cut one open and found a larvae of some type and I read that it could be wasps.  
My follow up question in two parts is, a. Are the galls dangerous to children once they've fallen from the tree? and b. Is the tree in jeopardy and need to be removed?  It is about 30 feet tall.  Thanks again,  Ross  
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Followup To

Question -
not sure of tree type. possibly oak. there seems to be oval shaped growths on every branch. they are heavy. and pretty big. they fall and it seems animals are also eating them.  do u know what this is?  thanks          ross

Answer -
Ross,
From the description I would assume that if it is an Oak tree that we are talking about, then they are probably acorns.
Good luck.
Ed Gulliksen

Answer
Ross,
The thing that threw me off was the statement that animals were eating the growths.
Your research is right, the are parsitic wasps that lay their eggs inside the branches of some varieties of oak trees. These galls will eventually kill the branch as they grow.
There are also migde galls that attack the leaves and cause them to swell up. Both types of galls are harmless to children and pets. You can try to control the population next year, but this is unrealistic due to the fact that the wasps lay their eggs for a 2 week period in the spring, and the only thing that will control them is sevin, a contact material, so you would need to spray when the wasps are present and actively laying their eggs.
The tree is in no immediate danger, but you should remove the galls as they begin to form to reduce the populations.
Good luck.
Ed Gulliksen