What's on my hickory?

[Don P]

This seems to be moving up a mockernut in the front yard, it's browning out from bottom up. It seems to be a bunch of galls?



 

[beenthere]

Maybe this
https://bugoftheweek.com/blog/2013/1/27/gall-darn-it-gall-insects-on-hickory-oak-and-elm-iphylloxera-caryaecaulis-andricus-palustris-colopha-ulmicolai

[Don P]

Thanks BT, that looks like the critter, Hickory leaf stem gall aphid, Phylloxera caryaecaulis

Life lesson; don't leave hickory leaf gall aphid sample on the scanner overnight, that large leaf was covered in eggs and sticky honeydew. 

[kantuckid]

I've always wondered what critter cuts off the ends of hickory branches I see dropped on my woods roads? They look like (nearly) they were severed by a razor sharp knife in a circular motion (not squirrel like) and easily noticed as they'll have fresh green leaves on them. This happens about the same time squirrels begin cutting nuts.