Hickory Gall Wasps: Cosmetic Galls Requiring No Treatment

Situation Analysis

Bob's neighbor's fence row has young hickories (10-30 ft) with galls/cankers on mid/terminal branches and some main stems. Healthy older hickories nearby unaffected. 100 yards from Bob's healthy trees.

Diagnosis: Gall Wasp Galls

• Small wasps lay eggs → plant forms protective gall
• Wasps emerge, leaving empty galls
• No health impact on tree
• Not infectious to other trees
• No treatment needed

Key Points for Decision-Making

1. Wasps have already emerged — no active insects in galls
2. No spread risk to adjacent trees (Bob's or neighbor's)
3. Galls are cosmetic only
4. Control difficult and unnecessary
5. Cutting trees down is wasteful

Recommendation

Leave trees alone. Galls indicate biodiversity, not disease. Neighbor's procrastination is actually the right response here.