Oak Apple Galls on Young Texas Red Oak

New 5-inch Texas red oak has marble-to-golf-ball-sized green "apples" with red blush. Owner asks if normal.

Not Fruit—Galls

Oak apple galls: deformed leaves from wasp. 1.25-2+ inches, globular, smooth. Green, darkening with age. White spongy inside with hard center (larva). Dry to fibrous mass when wasp leaves.

Wasp Life Cycle

Adults emerge, mate, female burrows to roots, lays eggs. Larvae feed on roots 1 year, pupate. Wingless females emerge, lay eggs in leaf veins → galls form. Larvae develop inside. No sting, no tree harm.

Verdict

Completely harmless. Do not worry.