Princeton Elm

asheville · 22nd May 2008, 10:27 AM

I planted a Princeton Elm last spring and it has done beautifully...growing fast. It's late May '08 and I just noticed strange growths on all the leaves... they look like..well like tomato worms..green, spikey, about an inch long.... but they don't seem to be worms at all, and they can't be removed without tearing the leaves. Honestly they seem to be part of the leaves...but worrisome...does anyone have an idea of whether this is natural or parasitic? Thanks!

newguy18 · 22nd May 2008, 03:46 PM

some pics of the problem would help.

Sean Freeman · 22nd May 2008, 05:29 PM

Sounds like a leaf gall to me, but as Bill wrote without pics very hard.

Anyway here's some links...Nature Trivia, Plant Galls
scroll down to the elm leaf gall examples.
GALLS

If they are galls I wouldn't worry most unlikely to cause any serious problems to the tree...but again all guess work without pics.
I'm guessing finger galls....see attached

Gallmaking insects_viewpdf_210.pdf

TreeSpecialist · 22nd May 2008, 10:08 PM

The galls you're describing are generically called "nipple galls" cause by one of several psyllid species.

No treatment is needed nor would one make a difference in the appearance or performance of the leaves affected.

asheville · 22nd May 2008, 10:28 PM

Duh...didn't think of a picture. Will try to upload if there's interest. Thanks, though, to you all for identifying 'galls'. Once I started looking at some pictures of galls, I'm sure that's what they are now. I'll send a pic when I can.

Great! I'm really pulling for this Elm. Thanks again....

22nd May 2008, 10:27 AM	#1
asheville I'm new here so be nice Join Date: May 2008 Location: Asheville, NC Posts: 2	Princeton Elm I planted a Princeton Elm last spring and it has done beautifully...growing fast. It's late May '08 and I just noticed strange growths on all the leaves... they look like..well like tomato worms..green, spikey, about an inch long.... but they don't seem to be worms at all, and they can't be removed without tearing the leaves. Honestly they seem to be part of the leaves...but worrisome...does anyone have an idea of whether this is natural or parasitic? Thanks!

22nd May 2008, 03:46 PM	#2
newguy18 Part of the Furniture Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: orlando,fl Posts: 4,948	Re: Princeton Elm some pics of the problem would help. __________________ Have your say join us today. old schooler

22nd May 2008, 05:29 PM	#3
Sean Freeman Veteran Heritage Status Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Townsville Nth Queensland & Gold Coast Sth Queensland Posts: 1,981	Re: Princeton Elm Sounds like a leaf gall to me, but as Bill wrote without pics very hard. Anyway here's some links...Nature Trivia, Plant Galls scroll down to the elm leaf gall examples. GALLS If they are galls I wouldn't worry most unlikely to cause any serious problems to the tree...but again all guess work without pics. I'm guessing finger galls....see attached Gallmaking insects_viewpdf_210.pdf

22nd May 2008, 10:08 PM	#4
TreeSpecialist Mature tree Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 373	Re: Princeton Elm The galls you're describing are generically called "nipple galls" cause by one of several psyllid species. No treatment is needed nor would one make a difference in the appearance or performance of the leaves affected. __________________

22nd May 2008, 10:28 PM	#5
asheville I'm new here so be nice Join Date: May 2008 Location: Asheville, NC Posts: 2	Re: Princeton Elm Duh...didn't think of a picture. Will try to upload if there's interest. Thanks, though, to you all for identifying 'galls'. Once I started looking at some pictures of galls, I'm sure that's what they are now. I'll send a pic when I can. Great! I'm really pulling for this Elm. Thanks again....

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