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Thread: Strange branch bulges
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6th January 2011, 10:36 PM #1
Strange branch bulges
I was walking past a car park where part of a tree had fallen over and its branches had these strange bulges on them. I thought they were either mistletoe, or some sort of insect damage, but either way may make good pen blanks so grabbed a branch. Left them in the car for a few days and only pulled them out tonight, covered in black ants , as they had mad nests inside the bulges .
After a few sprays of flyspray, I cut the small branch bulge in the left of the photo into 20mm slices, exposing yet more ants . They were full of voids with swirls of grain similar to a banksia , although it wasn't a banksia tree (not sure what it was). I've cast them in resin for worthless wood pen blanks.
Just wondering if any of our experts here can identify what the bulges are. I know they are full of ants now, but they have been dead for quite a while, so could they be old dead mistletow, or just insect damage causing a sort of burl?<!-- google_ad_section_end -->
CheersNeil____________________________________________Every day presents an opportunity to learn something new
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6th January 2011, 10:39 PM #2
I think they are called Galls, I don't know what causes them.
Cliff.
If you find a post of mine that is missing a pic that you'd like to see, let me know & I'll see if I can find a copy.
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6th January 2011, 11:44 PM #3
Just thinking out loud, but Isn't there a wasp that causes galls? (if that's what they are)?
Pete
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7th January 2011, 08:10 AM #4Skwair2rownd
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Most probably the result of an attack by Hall Wasps. They lay their eggs in cavities and then when the young hatch and leave there you have an ideal home for ants.
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9th January 2011, 07:23 PM #5
Thanks for the info guys, Galls it is. I also found out it was a Macadamia tree. A pen made from slices cast in resin is shown here
CheerNeil____________________________________________Every day presents an opportunity to learn something new
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