I have noticed some strange objects on a tree near to me. There are about 4 or 5 of them and they appear to be made of mud and are wrapped around smaller branches of the tree. I'm not sure if they are part of the tree (dont know what tree it is) or whether something made them. They are quite small - probably the size of a cricket ball, maybe a little larger. I will try and get a picture but in the meantime does anyone know what they could be - do you think they could be nests?
Hi,
they don't immediately sound like nests but let's see a photo :))
S
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Hi CW welcome to the forum.
I can suggest an answer as to what you are seeing, but without confirmation of the tree species or a photo it makes a definate identification somewhat harder.
I would guess what you are seeing are Tree Galls!
Galls affect many trees,Galls are abnormal growths or swellings of plant tissue that is damaged. Galls can be caused by insects, mites, bacteria, fungi, nematodes and mechanical damage. They are commonly found on leaves, twigs, branches and occasionally the main trunk of a tree.
http://www.wcosf.org/other_photos/oak_gall_closeup_300.JPG
I have included the above link of galls on an oak tree.
Does this resemble what you have seen ?
Regards Buzzard
Nature Is Amazing - Let Us Keep It That Way
Welcome to the forum CW! I think Buzzard could be right, but a photo will speak a thousand words!!
"All weeds are flowers, once you get to know them" (Eeyore)
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Hi CW and welcome to the forums!
Regarding the strange growths - without knowing the size, I'd certainly tend to agree with Buzzard that these could be tree galls - usually caused by insects (gall wasps). Incidentally, oak galls were used for making ink at once time...
Make the boy interested in natural history if you can; it is better than games [Robert Falcon Scott]