Can anyone identify these?

[red devil]

Hi guys,
I was visiting family in Lancashire this weekend and spent a lovely Sunday morning at the Mere Sands Nature Reserve.
While walking around the reserve I noticed a large beech tree had a huge number of small ball-like growths in its uppermost branches.
You can see the shape of them in the picture but sadly I couldn't get a closer look at them as I only had my cameraphone on me.
I asked in the reserve HQ but the lady didn't have any suggestions.
I thought they might be galls, but I don't know for sure, so can anyone offer any suggestions?

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Cheers,
Steve

 

[Toddy]

Beech grows burrs, but I don't think I've ever seen them on branches like that before

Interesting

cheers,
Toddy

 

[dwardo]

Sometimes see them to that extent on Willows but never beech. Keep ay eye out for fallen limbs and keep your saw handy

 

[Callum]

Hi red devil

It's not an Elm is it?

 

[red devil]

Hi red devil

It's not an Elm is it?

I'm quite new at this nature game so I'm not 100% sure, but the ground was littered with the hairy shells of beech mast - thousands of them - and I'm fairly sure the dead leaves lying around were beech leaves. And I had my Trees guidebook with me to double check everything. What were you thinking?

 

[The Big Lebowski]

I've seen burrs on Beech... Yet to find a fallen branch to 'explore' the innards though

 

[Callum]

Hi Red Devil

I was just thinking that elms are very susceptable to these type of galls or burrs and since you're in Scotland you are still likely to encounter mature specimens.

 

[Davidn]

Hi Red Devil, looks like canker to me, fairly common on Beech.

 

[bushwacker bob]

Hi Red Devil, looks like canker to me, fairly common on Beech.

Agreed. The beech I know like that has a very large burr at its base.

 

[red devil]

Hi Red Devil

I was just thinking that elms are very susceptable to these type of galls or burrs and since you're in Scotland you are still likely to encounter mature specimens.

I'm in Scotland now - but when I saw the tree I was visiting family in Lancashire, England

 

[red devil]

Hi Red Devil, looks like canker to me, fairly common on Beech.

Ah, now that sounds more feasible. I shall investigate further - thanks a lot.
Steve