Strange growth on tree.

minna · 17th February 2009, 12:53 PM

While walking in Cedar Falls State Park in Kentucky, US, we saw an oak tree with a growth about 2 feet in diameter. Does anyone know what that could be?

Robert STAVROU · 17th February 2009, 01:01 PM

Afternoon Minna,
great photograph, thought what you had appeared to be a gall; if so the biggest I have also seen. Quite impressed. Stav

Eric Frei · 17th February 2009, 05:46 PM

That's a prize winner I reckon, huge!

Treeson · 17th February 2009, 06:29 PM

Thats an impressive gall!

devo · 18th February 2009, 04:28 AM

thats impressive nearly a perfect circle !!

you guys call it a 'gall' ? up here we term it ' tree cancer '

is '' gall'' short for anythiing?

Sean Freeman · 18th February 2009, 07:41 AM

Great Arboreal Ligninaceous Lump

just kidding.

Robert STAVROU · 18th February 2009, 08:23 AM

Thanks Sean your comment gave me a wonderful laugh for the morning. Stav

treevet · 18th February 2009, 09:33 AM

I would call that a burl, galls being smaller in size.

newguy18 · 18th February 2009, 10:27 AM

Thats one hell of a canker.

Eric Frei · 18th February 2009, 06:21 PM

Well, lets cut it open and see!

I know, I'll add a poll.

Done it · 18th February 2009, 11:27 PM

Maybe we should keep an eye on this.

treevet · 19th February 2009, 12:44 AM

Jeff Darby · 19th February 2009, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Done it

Maybe we should keep an eye on this.

Eyeballis laderstepii

Sean Freeman · 19th February 2009, 03:05 PM

Some thought provoking definitions List of Defects in Hardwood Defect Trainer

treevet · 19th February 2009, 03:18 PM

Little to choose from in Seans informative reference between the burl and the gall in appearance (not the picture but the description). As I thought not likely a canker as that is a localized lesion of necrotic tissue that does not coincide with the picture (not Done it's pict).

Eric Frei · 19th February 2009, 08:07 PM

Well there's gonna be some debate perhaps.

My interpretation:-

Burl, deformity of growth caused internally, when dissected no defective areas found caused by external means, wood grain in circular motion.

Gall, caused by external pathogen (wasp, fungi, bacteria etc), tree grows large "cocoon" or "woody structure". When dissected evidence of some pathogen found.

Problem:- Galls can turn into burls, and I suppose vice versa if a burl were infected.

Comments please.

treevet · 20th February 2009, 12:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ekka

Well there's gonna be some debate perhaps.

My interpretation:-

Burl, deformity of growth caused internally, when dissected no defective areas found caused by external means, wood grain in circular motion.

Gall, caused by external pathogen (wasp, fungi, bacteria etc), tree grows large "cocoon" or "woody structure". When dissected evidence of some pathogen found.

Problem:- Galls can turn into burls, and I suppose vice versa if a burl were infected.

Comments please.

My thoughts exactly. You would have to dissect the abscess to properly identify it and that would be included in the definitions. Nothing wrong with that.

Gall needs insect or disease attack and burl does not.

Get dickapedia on the horn straight up!

newguy18 · 20th February 2009, 02:01 AM

We should really ask the experts at the isa.

Eric Frei · 20th February 2009, 07:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by treevet

Get dickapedia on the horn straight up!

Quote:

Originally Posted by newguy18

We should really ask the experts at the isa.

Oh quit it you guys I nearly sprayed the screen when I laughed so much after a sip of coffee!

Jeff Darby · 20th February 2009, 08:29 AM

It would appear that one can also be the other in the long run, so which came first the egg or the chicken???

On first sight I said to myself, "that's one big gall"

windthrown · 21st February 2009, 06:46 PM

I voted for a canker. In the oaks around here, galls are a lot smaller. Maybe a few inches in diameter at most (8cm for you guys in Oz). Defaintely not a conk, but maybe cased by a Donk?

Be interestiung to cut it open. A 361 could slice that up in a hurry. If it is cancer, the 361 will keep you protected.

treefeller · 21st February 2009, 07:47 PM

Thats some gall their, would be good to dissect it. you never know what you might find

minna · 27th February 2009, 05:44 AM

Thanks for all the input. I finally got ahold of a naturalist at the park familier with this tree. He said the tree is a chesnut oak and about 75 years old. The burl is almost as old and he estimated it to be 5 ft. in circumference. I was quite a bit off, but it was a long day of hiking and lots of cool sights. He also pointed out that if there was any way to get it to the road, it would have been taken by now for funiture. Thanks again,
Minna

Eric Frei · 27th February 2009, 06:45 AM

Ah ha!

You called it a burl too.

treevet · 27th February 2009, 07:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by treevet

I would call that a burl, galls being smaller in size.

Must be a "Nati thang.

treevet · 27th February 2009, 07:10 AM

Removing that burl would open the tree up to bad things.

treesandsurf · 27th February 2009, 01:07 PM

Definitely would call that a burl.

Healthy one at that! Wouldn't think it compromises the tree; removal would be tragic.

jp

Treeson · 1st March 2009, 08:09 PM

I'll stick with my original thought of it being a really impressive "old" gall.

treevet · 2nd March 2009, 12:54 AM

How bouts we call it a Gurl. Got kinda nice shape to it. lol

clementine · 2nd March 2009, 04:25 AM

A giant burl near Solduc Falls in Olympic National Park:

View Poll Results: The large round growth at the base of the tree is a ....
Gall	20	25.64%
Burl	49	62.82%
Canker	6	7.69%
Conk	3	3.85%
Voters: 78. You may not vote on this poll

17th February 2009, 12:53 PM	#1
minna I'm new here so be nice Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: cincinnati, ohio Posts: 2	Strange growth on tree. While walking in Cedar Falls State Park in Kentucky, US, we saw an oak tree with a growth about 2 feet in diameter. Does anyone know what that could be? Attached Thumbnails Last edited by Eric Frei; 17th February 2009 at 05:45 PM. Reason: resized pic, adjusted contrast, loaded to server

17th February 2009, 01:01 PM	#2
Robert STAVROU Semi-mature vigorous tree Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Australia Posts: 56	Re: Strange growth on tree. Afternoon Minna, great photograph, thought what you had appeared to be a gall; if so the biggest I have also seen. Quite impressed. Stav __________________ STAV

17th February 2009, 05:46 PM	#3
Eric Frei Admin - Razor sharp and independent 2 X Diploma Level 5 qualified arborist Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 12,792	Re: Strange growth on tree. That's a prize winner I reckon, huge! __________________ Protect your rights to work - Join Australian Tree Association My businesses:- Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding Brisbane \| Brisbane - Gold Coast Consulting Arborist

17th February 2009, 06:29 PM	#4
Treeson Semi-mature vigorous tree Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Edinburgh Posts: 177	Re: Strange growth on tree. Thats an impressive gall!

18th February 2009, 04:28 AM	#5
devo Sappling Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: germany Posts: 41	Re: Strange growth on tree. thats impressive nearly a perfect circle !! you guys call it a 'gall' ? up here we term it ' tree cancer ' is '' gall'' short for anythiing?

18th February 2009, 07:41 AM	#6
Sean Freeman Monument Status Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Townsville Nth Queensland & Gold Coast Sth Queensland Posts: 1,985	Re: Strange growth on tree. Great Arboreal Ligninaceous Lump just kidding.

18th February 2009, 08:23 AM	#7
Robert STAVROU Semi-mature vigorous tree Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Australia Posts: 56	Re: Strange growth on tree. Thanks Sean your comment gave me a wonderful laugh for the morning. Stav __________________ STAV

18th February 2009, 09:33 AM	#8
treevet Backflipper Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio, USA Posts: 2,131	Re: Strange growth on tree. I would call that a burl, galls being smaller in size.

18th February 2009, 10:27 AM	#9
newguy18 Part of the Furniture Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: orlando,fl Posts: 4,977	Re: Strange growth on tree. Thats one hell of a canker. __________________ Have your say join us today. old schooler

18th February 2009, 06:21 PM	#10
Eric Frei Admin - Razor sharp and independent 2 X Diploma Level 5 qualified arborist Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 12,792	Re: Strange growth on tree. Well, lets cut it open and see! I know, I'll add a poll. __________________ Protect your rights to work - Join Australian Tree Association My businesses:- Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding Brisbane \| Brisbane - Gold Coast Consulting Arborist

18th February 2009, 11:27 PM	#11
Done it Over mature heritage tree Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Parramatta. Australia. Posts: 784	Re: Strange growth on tree. Maybe we should keep an eye on this. Attached Thumbnails

19th February 2009, 12:44 AM	#12
treevet Backflipper Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio, USA Posts: 2,131	Re: Strange growth on tree.

19th February 2009, 03:05 PM	#14
Sean Freeman Monument Status Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Townsville Nth Queensland & Gold Coast Sth Queensland Posts: 1,985	Re: Strange growth on tree. Some thought provoking definitions List of Defects in Hardwood Defect Trainer

19th February 2009, 03:18 PM	#15
treevet Backflipper Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio, USA Posts: 2,131	Re: Strange growth on tree. Little to choose from in Seans informative reference between the burl and the gall in appearance (not the picture but the description). As I thought not likely a canker as that is a localized lesion of necrotic tissue that does not coincide with the picture (not Done it's pict).

19th February 2009, 08:07 PM	#16
Eric Frei Admin - Razor sharp and independent 2 X Diploma Level 5 qualified arborist Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 12,792	Re: Strange growth on tree. Well there's gonna be some debate perhaps. My interpretation:- Burl, deformity of growth caused internally, when dissected no defective areas found caused by external means, wood grain in circular motion. Gall, caused by external pathogen (wasp, fungi, bacteria etc), tree grows large "cocoon" or "woody structure". When dissected evidence of some pathogen found. Problem:- Galls can turn into burls, and I suppose vice versa if a burl were infected. Comments please. __________________ Protect your rights to work - Join Australian Tree Association My businesses:- Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding Brisbane \| Brisbane - Gold Coast Consulting Arborist

20th February 2009, 02:01 AM	#18
newguy18 Part of the Furniture Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: orlando,fl Posts: 4,977	Re: Strange growth on tree. We should really ask the experts at the isa. __________________ Have your say join us today. old schooler

20th February 2009, 08:29 AM	#20
Jeff Darby Moderator - Previously known as JayD Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: TreeWorld, Sydney Australia Posts: 2,025	Re: Strange growth on tree. It would appear that one can also be the other in the long run, so which came first the egg or the chicken??? On first sight I said to myself, "that's one big gall" __________________ Member: Australian Tree Association Join the Australian Tree Association...Have your voice heard ! Arboriculture, A life long study for some, a passing phase for others © Jeffrey J Darby 2011

21st February 2009, 06:46 PM	#21
windthrown Former Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: In the Great Pacific Northwest Posts: 1,211	Re: Strange growth on tree. I voted for a canker. In the oaks around here, galls are a lot smaller. Maybe a few inches in diameter at most (8cm for you guys in Oz). Defaintely not a conk, but maybe cased by a Donk? Be interestiung to cut it open. A 361 could slice that up in a hurry. If it is cancer, the 361 will keep you protected.

21st February 2009, 07:47 PM	#22
treefeller Semi-mature vigorous tree Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: aaa Posts: 224	Re: Strange growth on tree. Thats some gall their, would be good to dissect it. you never know what you might find

27th February 2009, 05:44 AM	#23
minna I'm new here so be nice Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: cincinnati, ohio Posts: 2	Re: Strange growth on tree. Thanks for all the input. I finally got ahold of a naturalist at the park familier with this tree. He said the tree is a chesnut oak and about 75 years old. The burl is almost as old and he estimated it to be 5 ft. in circumference. I was quite a bit off, but it was a long day of hiking and lots of cool sights. He also pointed out that if there was any way to get it to the road, it would have been taken by now for funiture. Thanks again, Minna

27th February 2009, 06:45 AM	#24
Eric Frei Admin - Razor sharp and independent 2 X Diploma Level 5 qualified arborist Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 12,792	Re: Strange growth on tree. Ah ha! You called it a burl too. __________________ Protect your rights to work - Join Australian Tree Association My businesses:- Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding Brisbane \| Brisbane - Gold Coast Consulting Arborist

27th February 2009, 07:10 AM	#26
treevet Backflipper Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio, USA Posts: 2,131	Re: Strange growth on tree. Removing that burl would open the tree up to bad things.

27th February 2009, 01:07 PM	#27
treesandsurf Sappling Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Northern California Posts: 25	Re: Strange growth on tree. Definitely would call that a burl. Healthy one at that! Wouldn't think it compromises the tree; removal would be tragic. jp

1st March 2009, 08:09 PM	#28
Treeson Semi-mature vigorous tree Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Edinburgh Posts: 177	Re: Strange growth on tree. I'll stick with my original thought of it being a really impressive "old" gall.

2nd March 2009, 12:54 AM	#29
treevet Backflipper Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio, USA Posts: 2,131	Re: Strange growth on tree. How bouts we call it a Gurl. Got kinda nice shape to it. lol

2nd March 2009, 04:25 AM	#30
clementine Over mature heritage tree Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Shropshire, UK Posts: 509	Re: Strange growth on tree. A giant burl near Solduc Falls in Olympic National Park: __________________ Meddle not in the affairs of dragons - for you are crunchy and taste of chicken!

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Help I'm being taken over\| Preventing sucker growth	jjohnson4408	Ask an Arborist here	35	22nd April 2010 11:19 PM
Guess how many years growth this is?	Eric Frei	General Tree Chat	24	12th January 2009 08:28 PM
old growth cypress	newguy18	The Video Forum	19	7th October 2008 01:59 PM
Growth on Leaf	Lenny Mexted	Ask an Arborist here	4	9th September 2008 08:31 PM