CLOSED: Found on Live Oaks

My husband was trimming some dead limbs for a neighbor friend and came across these "balls" on her Live Oak Trees..on every single tree he came upon either a few or a lot. He broke one open..Well, see the next several pictures and if anyone can, please tell me what this is!! Is it harmful? I figure it is since her trees are really looking sad. What can be done to get rid of this pest? In one pic is the larva that was inside of one..He broke open 3 or 4 altogether and the bug(s)were in them all. Thanks for your help!

Randa

p.s. If it is harmful, how fast can this spread? And should we treat our trees in advance??

2nd pic

3rd

4th

the larva

Oh..one more sorry..The leaves, for the most part, on the trees, all look like this..

I think it's an Oak Bullet Gall Wasp. Search around, I don't think they're much of a problem. Here's a picture, there's lots of sites that talk about them but no pictures.

http://bugguide.net/node/view/27076

This message was edited Nov 27, 2006 9:55 PM

Yep! That's it..Hmm..well, I wonder what is wrong with the trees themselves? OH!! I forgot..Also, today..when he cut one of the limbs off that was dead, these FAST moving, large black ants came pouring out..It was like they had bored the inside of the tree..Think they make the tree sick or they just took advantage of the easy "house'??

From what I read, "large infestations are unsightly", and it sounded like they couldn't damage an otherwise healthy tree.
Hard to say what organism started the damage, I sure don't know. The wasps might hurt a very small tree or branch, I think the ants are a separate issue. They might be carpenter ants.

Clay..yeah..I have now read up on some links and info that has been provided..so....as far as the ants..They arent carpenter..I KNOW those all too well..I did major battle with them for the rightful ownership of my hibiscus and mandevillas..I was out in the yard and one of those black ants fell on me..stung me..and left a sore and swollen area about the size of a dime..The things are mean as all git out!..The red carpenter ants have a bite but nothing compared to those black boogers...I know this pic I am adding here isnt a bug..but reckon any of yall could help me out? Let me know if I should be worried??? Look at the little "black hairs" sticking out of this..Is this some sort of lichen?

I guess so, but you know there's a forum (as of yesterday or the day before) about Ferns, Fungi, and Mosses. You could try posting it there, too. The forum used to be just ferns

Nope..didnt know..havent been on here for a few days..getting all the time I can in on my gardening and lawn..enjoying way above avg temps..I will ck it out..or talk to the "tree" bunch..Thanks for the info on the bug..strange little dude..

I'm a strange dude, but I'm not little LOL

LOL ..
Ahhh, claypa .. you're a hoot-&-a-1/2!

The Gall Wasps are quite an interesting lil batch of bug critters.

About the black 'ant' bugs .. I know the Carpenter Ants won't hesitate infesting in the 'royal rottening palaces' that are provided by tree trucks and limbs, including downed limbs and logs, etc.

They're especially aggressive at certain times of the year also! We found an extremely large colony while pulling out the Christmas supplies from the loft of our shed last night. Quite a few new winged queens awaiting the moment to depart to new territories! They are super-large right now too! I suppose I should check some other sources, to rule out their being something other than carpenter ants, jes for safety.

The lichen-lookin' stuff on the limb .. is most interesting, with its 'whisker stuble'! .. LOL ..

- Magpye

This message was edited Nov 28, 2006 9:48 AM

turbo~ What kind of tree is the branch from? It could be a critter that is known to host the plant. Justa guess for now.

:-/

Deb..They are all on Live Oaks..sure different from the Live Oaks of East Texas where we grew up..They are real "gnarly" down here..The trees in both yards are 65+ years old. I spoke to the daughter of the original owner yesterday. Her Dad planted some..but many were here when they lived here on the property(back then it included ours AND the neighbors). I love these old trees...My DH has been so busy pruning..cutting the dead ones, suckers..and covering the wounds..It would break my heart to lose any of them..
Those Gall Wasps are VERY interesting little critters. I never KNEW such things existed. Since I have begun gardening..I have learned so much..and love it!..I appreciate any and all info that yall share!
Randa

You might check the tree forum, but I don't think you should cover the wounds with anything. The black stuff that was used has fallen out of favor, now they say air contacting wounds lets them dry better, so less likelihood of infection

I think the gray on the oak branch up there might be Gray frosted rosette lichen
compare> http://waynesword.palomar.edu/pljan98f.htm

This message was edited Nov 29, 2006 10:11 PM

Thanks for the link deb..Found it very interesting..Went back and read some articles as well..As for not covering the wounds..I donno..Some of the "huggers" say do..some say "dont"..Honestly, with all the critters we have down here in the Coastal Bend, clay..I tend to go with cover..These trees are so stressed. They havent been cared for in years and years..We just want so badly to help them grow old gracefully!
We are especially attached to some Field Pines(that's what call em back home in NE Texas)..I think the proper name is Loblolly..Anyway..there are also some of these in our yard..and our adjacent neighbors. Mr. Wilson used to own about 10 acres right here..He went to mine and my hubby's East Texas home town of Palestine, back in 1966 and brought all the pines back as seedlings..They are magnificent..and give us a taste of "home"...They, too, are a bit stressed, but not like the Live Oaks. Word is they havent been pruned or ANYTHING done to them, except endure urban blight, for at least 15-20 years..Anyway..we are very partial to both..so much so..I had to search around for a grass that would do well in the shade..found that..so our lawn/yard..is coming along nicely..Thanks again for all the info..all of you..The more I read..the more I realize I need to learn.....and that's a good thing..If we ever stop learning..we are dying or dead...IMO...

Randa

Cool Randa!
I know how ya feel about thos eold trees girl!


Are you kin to any of the Quanna Parker family in Palestine?

deb..not that I know of..However, there is a lot of lost history of my paternal side..Now, the maternal..that has been really interesting tracing..Was able to trace my family all the way back to Wales. One of my "great-greats" grandfather wise, was a Col. in the American Revolution..for the Americans, of course!

Randa

Great Randa!
I know it is a huge family, a friend of mine in Pasadena went to the family reunions in Palestine every year.. Cool about your GF....My family tree doesn't seem to be very easy to trace. I tried for a bit.. DH is another thing. His family goes back to some very very old Country in the Mediteranian, I don't know all the limbs of it but they are Jewish through and through, until DHs dad married his mom who is from Texas..:-) His GGGuncle Juddah Magnes was one of the first ordained Rabbis in the US.. there is a museum in Berkely CA. It's on Russell St, and that's my maiden name... coincidence?

Hey Deb..My DIL's maiden name is Russell!! Getting more interesting by the day!!!

I think we all must be related somehow anyway... very cool when same sirnames pop up though.. Big smiles:-D

I agree about the related thing..Like 6 degrees of separation.Think it's 6..Either way..when ya get down to it..It really is a small world..I grew up with what I think is unusual, names...Randa..from Randell..my Daddy..I was supposed to have been a boy! That was long before sonograms..Elise from Elizabeth..my Moms middle name..I was very honored when my son and his wife named my new grand-daughter after me..having given her Elise as her middle name as well..My surname..lol..I can give you a hint!.Nicknames have been, Goofy Golf..Golf Ball..or sometimes someone just yelled FOUR!!!