Question
Tree Pest
Hi Jim
My name is Michel, I live in Texas and I have a couple of small young trees in my back yard. I don't know what kind of trees they are, but recently I've noticed they are full of little balls on theirs branches, like wood balls and they seems like they are part of the branch itself, same color same texture. Each little ball has tiny holes on its surface. I don't know if this is something to be worried about and how to treat it, but If you can give me a clue about it I'd really appreciate.I attach a picture for a better understanding. Thank you for your time.
AnswerThese are insect galls made by a small insect called a gall wasp. the insect lays its eggs in the bark of the limb, twig and secretes a chemical that causes the cells on the limbs to grow and cover the eggs. The insect eggs hatch and the small larvae lives and grow in the gall until it reaches an adult and then emerges to start the cycle over.
Gall wasp population vary greatly from year to year so one year you may have many new galls the next none. The galls will not harm the health of the tree. The very worst that could be done is some small twigs may die from the gall. Any controls would be done as the adult emerges and timing would be difficult. And since they cause no real damage no control is needed. Do not worry about these they will cause no problem to the tree.
