There are many different types of oak trees in North America, China, and other geographical locations across the globe. And, each species of oak tree has its own unique features.
One of the most common oak trees in the United States is the red oak, which grows up to 80 feet tall. Also, if you research the oak tree, you will find that there is a wealth of information online.
Some of the most important information covers topics like oak trees with green balls. Because these small green balls can be mistaken as fruits and nuts, you need to learn as much as you can about these green balls.
With that said, here are 3 things you need to know about the oak trees with green balls.
1. Small Round Green Balls on Oak Trees are Not Fruits or Nuts
Because many species of trees around the globe are known for bearing different types of delicious edible fruits and nuts, some people are always looking for trees that they eat from.
So, you may notice small round green balls growing on an oak tree right away. In fact, in some cases, these green balls may even look like acorns that you eat like nuts.
However, it is very important that you avoid this temptation since green balls on an oak tree are not fruits or nuts. Instead, the small round balls that hang from the branches of an oak tree are actually growths that’s caused by insect infestations.
Sometimes these growths are referred to by a variety of different names including the following:
- Oak gall cankers
- Oak apple gall
- Roly poly gall
- Galls
These growths are considered to be common on all of the different varieties of oak species in places all over the U.S. and abroad. This is normally because there are a number of different pests that like to feed and grow on the oak tree.
From fungi, mites, bacteria spreading on an oak tree to wasps swarming these trees, oak trees are prone to sustaining damages from more than one source. It is also important to note that these wasp attacks are a major cause of the damages that’s inflicted on the oak tree.
2. Wasps Swarms Cause Major Problems to the Oak Tree
As you do your research, you may also find that there are quite a few questions online about these problems, particularly when it comes to wasps? For instance, most people want to know the answer to questions like, why do wasps swarm oak trees?
Or, why are there so many wasps in the oak trees on my property? Whatever the question, these are answers that property owners need to know, especially if they have one or more oak trees on their land with these problems.
Fortunately, the answers to these questions are relatively easy to convey. Since wasps may be attacking an oak tree for a number different reasons.
For example, these wasps have distinct characteristics that everyone should become familiar with, especially because they are called galled-creating wasps. Galled-creating wasps are made up of approximately 1400 varieties, and they tend to focus solely on 80% of the oak tree population.
And, though these wasps are very small in size and diameter, they can do a significant amount of damage to an oak tree, including leaving abnormal growths of these small green balls on the branches of the oak tree.
3. Infestations and Preventative Measures
These green round balls are about 2 inches in diameter or smaller. In many cases, these galls are often too little for anyone to notice. And for this reason, some oak tree owners may not see the damage that they have done until much later.
On the other hand, for anyone who is paying close attention to how galls are produced, some of these infestations can be abated before significant damages are done.
For instance, Oak tree owners may be able to treat an infected branch of a tree before the wasp is able to lay their eggs and/or leave their larvae behind.
Using preventative measures like spraying insecticides is one of the best ways to keep wasps and other insect infestations down. Some of these products are organic and environmentally friendly because they are made from natural ingredients.
So, if you are looking for a way to keep wasps and other insect infestations from destroying your oak trees, there are many options available to you.
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