This is one of the most common galls found on Live Oak trees in Central Texas. It is also caused by a species of cynipid wasp called the Wool-bearing Gall Wasp. This gall is found on the undersides of Live Oak leaves. These galls may remain on a tree for several years, and while it may look like the tree has been infested, there are most likely many generations of galls present. You may find an exit hole where the adult wasp, which developed from the larvae, emerged. When the gall is cut open, you can see the radial fibers that support the larval chamber in the center. It is caused by a tiny cynipid wasp called an Oak Apple Wasp. It is found on native Spanish Oaks, aka Texas Red Oaks in Central Texas, as well as on Shumard Red Oaks. Please send photos to and I will add new types of galls to this list for all to enjoy! I’d like to share some of the common galls found on trees in Central Texas with you and encourage you to pay attention to the vegetation around you to see what other galls you may find. Many important treaties were signed with ink made from galls, including the treaty with Japan formally ending WW II. They have been used as a source of dye for wool and leather, and even as a source of ink used by the United States Treasury and the Bank of England. Native Americans used specific galls as an eyewash for inflamed eyes, or as a treatment for burns and wounds. Some galls have been utilized in the tanning industry for their high content of tannic acid. Galls can form on roots, trunks, branches, buds, flowers, fruits, and leaves. Tiny wasps, the size of fruit flies, and tiny flies produce consistent forms of galls on the host plant, the mechanism of which has yet to be discovered! Either the mechanical effect of the egg laying, or the introduction of a chemical into the plant during the process causes accelerated production of plant growth hormones. Many plant galls are produced by the host plant in response to the egg laying activity of the insects and mites mentioned. Most plant galls are not harmful to the host plant, with the exception of some formed by bacteria and fungi. Plant galls are produced by a variety of organisms which include mites, wasps, midges, thrips, fruit flies, moths, psyllids, and aphids, as well as bacteria and fungi. They are all around us, yet we seldom notice them unless they appear in a favorite landscape tree.
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