I've noticed a lot of the 'aliens' in the LHS of the image on Oaks down here (I think they've all been Sessile Oaks). Are the Acorns diseased or is it something benign?
Diseased Sessile Acorns?
- Thread starter Mang
- Start date
I think they are a type of Gall, but the exact insect type evades me at the moment.
Stu
On closer inspection, Its a Knopper Gall.
Stu
On closer inspection, Its a Knopper Gall.
They're parasites, gall wasps: http://www.rhs.org.uk/Advice/profiles0900/oak_galls.asp
The ones you've posted look like Knopper gall, http://www.rhs.org.uk/Advice/profiles1005/knoppergall.asp
The ones you've posted look like Knopper gall, http://www.rhs.org.uk/Advice/profiles1005/knoppergall.asp
I'll second that.
You get gall wasps of various species living all over the Oak, in the buds, under leaves, fruits and they disfigure the part they are in. They dont damage the tree much though, thats why they produce so many acorns, leaves ect so that many species of fauna can live off of them.
robin wood
Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Knopper gall is one of the commonest and sometimes a high percentage of acorns are affected. Your oak looks more like pedunculate to me, sessile means no stalk on the acorns, whereas the one with the galls clearly have long stalks or "peduncles". Sessile is more common in the west and on acid soils. I would expect mostly pedunculate in Herts.
My oak (Pedunculate) has far more of these than regular acorns this year whis is annoying as i was planning on making some coffee this autumn. so do these have a negative affect on the tree?
George
George
I wouldn't put the galled ones in your tea George, there is a wasp inside 
Anyway, they are 'orrible and sticky
Anyway, they are 'orrible and stickySomewhere within wasp flying distance will be a Turkey oak (or derivitive like the Fulham oak) that the knopper gall wasp requires to complete its life cycle, get rid of that and the Sessiles do far better.
I was chuffed to bits when a load of acorns I found grew in pots in my garden, I was even more pleased when I spotted one had leaves with a slightly different shape.
When I worked out what it was I read up on Turkey oaks and my beautifull young Turkey oak is now currently residing in the compost bin
I was chuffed to bits when a load of acorns I found grew in pots in my garden, I was even more pleased when I spotted one had leaves with a slightly different shape.
When I worked out what it was I read up on Turkey oaks and my beautifull young Turkey oak is now currently residing in the compost bin
Yes you are right Robin, I've just cocked up in front of the whole bushcraft community!
I even did a stint with our local Wildlife Trust and the team leader told me so I 'remembered' that it sounds like pendulum-Hey ho.
Yes you are right Robin, I've just cocked up in front of the whole bushcraft community!
I even did a stint with our local Wildlife Trust and the team leader told me so I 'remembered' that it sounds like pendulum-Hey ho.
