Whether you have to deal with summertime mosquitos or live where fire ants are an issue year-round, you’ve probably been bitten on several occasions. The red, itchy bumps are unsightly and irritating, paving the way for infections. But did you know leaves can portray the same inflictions and leave you wondering about the bumps on tree leaves in Dunwoody, GA?
Leaf surface irregularities are hard to miss and can seem more dangerous than they are. Therefore, our qualified team reveals below the truth about leaf galls and the right course of action after finding them on your property.
How Can You Tell If You’re Dealing with Leaf Galls?
Tree leaf bump formations, or leaf galls, are deformities that develop on leaves and twigs, and range in appearance from raised, hollow bumps to dense lumps, warts, and knob clusters. Their looks depend on the infliction’s longevity (starting out green before turning red and then eventually black after maturity) as well as the cause of the galls.
What Causes Galls To Form on Your Dunwoody Trees?
Tree leaf bumps causes are many, the number one reason for them being insect interactions. When insects latch onto and feed off the leaves, the plants react this way out of injury, but by the time you notice the symptoms, the culprits have long moved on. Other factors leading to leaf bumps include:
- Fungi (like mold and mildew)
- Bacteria and viruses
- Mites (from the spider and tick family)
- Nematodes (worms that live in soil and water)
According to The Morton Arboretum, identifying tree leaf abnormalities helps determine the offender. For instance, eriophyid mites usually attack red and silver maples, leaving behind red bead formations known as maple bladder galls. There are also dry Oak apple galls that look papery and Horned Oak galls that appear on the underside of leaves in blister form, both of which originate from wasps.
What Should You Do to Eradicate the Bumps?
You may think bumps on tree leaves call for a premier tree service in Dunwoody, but since the damage is already done long after the galls become visible, all you can do is allow the tree to heal itself. But if this is a recurring issue on your property, consider preventative measures instead.
What Future Measures Can You Take to Reduce the Chances of Future Galls?
Understanding leaf bumps on trees are usually harmless is important. However, gall production causes the tree to waste energy as it heals itself when it should instead be using that energy to grow and produce vegetation. Therefore, the tree feels stressed and weak, especially when leaving dormancy and entering the spring, making precautionary actions necessary.
Tackle the issue at its root cause by controlling the insect population around your home. Calling an exterminator allows a specialist to explain what types of insects you have while providing options for eradicating them. They’ll do anything from setting up bait traps to spraying insecticides specific to those organisms.
For a more natural DIY alternative, spray dormant oil on the leaves that are most likely to receive galls during the early spring to deter insects from feeding. However, in mild cases, consider leaving it up to nature since wherever leaf-eating insects are, their predators aren’t far behind.
For Over 25 Years of Experience!
Since 1997, our team of qualified arborists has supplied residents and business owners in Dunwoody, GA, and nearby areas with landscaping knowledge and top-tier tree services. As members of the International Society of Arboriculture and the National Arborist Association, trust us to help with bumps on tree leaves to keep trees in good health by calling 770-977-8733 for a free estimate!