Autumn Purple Ash growing broccoli

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tommjo

tommjo

New Member
Joined
Jul 29, 2006
Messages
1
Location
Wisconsin
In addition to the normal leaf stems, my Autumn Purple Ash has leafed out this spring with mutated clumps that look like broccoli flowerettes. The tree is almost 20 years old and has never had any issues in any other growing season. Any idea what caused this?
 
Kneejerk Bombas

Kneejerk Bombas

ArboristSite King
Joined
Oct 7, 2001
Messages
36,971
Location
My mom's basement, in Madison, Wisconsin.
That's called Ash Flower Gall. Little bugs chew on parts of the tree and the tree responds by trying to grow tissue over the little injuries. The insects then respond by chewing some more.
Ash Flower Gall is very common, and difficult to control. It is not a health issue, it's really only a cosmetic issue, and if you think of them as interesting and attractive, you'll be much happier.:cheers:

More Information from UWM: http://www.uwex.edu/ces/wihort/gardenfacts/X1048.pdf
 

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