Diagnosing and Treating Galls on Ficus Trees

A hard, orange, apple-sized growth at a branch crotch on your ficus is almost certainly a gall—abnormal plant tissue growth triggered by insects, mites, bacteria, or fungi. After a year-long scale battle, your tree is vulnerable to secondary issues.

Identify the Cause

• Insect galls: Often contain larvae or exit holes. Common culprits: gall wasps, midges, aphids.
• Bacterial galls (crown gall): Caused by Agrobacterium tumefaciens. Rough, woody, no insects inside. Enters through wounds.
• Fungal galls: Less common on ficus, but possible.

Treatment Steps

1. Remove the gall: If on a small branch, prune the entire limb back to healthy wood. If on the trunk, carefully excise the gall with a sterile knife, cutting into healthy tissue slightly.
2. Inspect the interior: Look for larvae or tunnels. None? Likely bacterial.
3. Sanitize: Swab the wound with 10% bleach solution (1 part bleach to 9 water) or a commercial bactericide/fungicide labeled for ornamentals.
4. Monitor: Watch for recurrence. Improve cultural care—proper watering, fertilization, and avoiding bark injury—to boost the tree's defenses.

Ficus trees are resilient. With the gall removed and good care, yours can thrive for years.