Cherry Tree Strange Growth

[chazmonro]

Hi all, I am new to the board. I had some Burr Oak milled a few weeks back and it was awesome! I got to talking to the sawyer and he turned me onto this site. Its a great place.

I've been taking down some choke cherry trees in my yard the last few weekends, they were growing wild and didn't fit into the landscape well. Anyway, long story short, most of them had a strange growth on their leaves and I was wondering if anyone on here might know what this stuff is and if I should be worried about my 200 year old oaks and my Hickory trees.




Thanks,
Chuck

[Jeff]

I have seen that on our choke cherries as well, that surround our yard. They have never been a problem, although I dont know what it is.

Welcome to the Forum chazmonro! Chuck I moved your photo to the Forestry Forum server and compressed its file size. We have to limit our file sizes due to low connection speeds for many of our members. THere is a great tutorial on posting photos that the members put together in the "Behind the Forum" board. 

[populus]

These are leaf galls. They are formed when an insect or mite lays an egg in a leaf. The larva produces some plant hormone, stimulating the leaf to make these structures. The insect is safe inside the gall feeding on sap.

Galls are generally harmless, especially since this is not a commercial species. Galls are formed by some interesting and beautiful insects. One gall in cherry is caused by the cherry gall azure, a gorgeous little butterfly. So, count yourself lucky to be providing a home to these interesting critters.

[shopteacher]

I thunk they were leaf warts.  I get them on the hard maple leaves on my property. Never has seemed to harm anything. 

[mometal77]

Good topic
http://www.uky.edu/Ag/Entomology/entfacts/trees/ef408.htm
from the university

[shopteacher]

Boy, them guys got a lot of gall. ;D  Very informative link. 

[SwampDonkey]

I get the gulls on the leaves of one of my basswood trees in the yard every year. Seems to be on just the one, must taste the best. ;)

[chazmonro]

Thanks for the info guys. I was worried I had some strange illness on my hands. Good to know!

Chuck