Acorns

[paddywak]

While walking Max today I passed an Oak tree where I noticed that while most of the acorns were normal smooth ovals quite a lot were deformed I've never seen this before and wondered if anybody had any ideas what caused it http://s172.photobucket.com/albums/w23/paddyma x/country/?action=view¤t=2007_06180012.j pg

[burnhal]

have a look here http://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profiles1005/knop pergall.asp
It is due to the grub of the gall wasp

[Thunderbird+]

Hi paddywak,
This growth that has deformed the acorns is caused by an insect which is actually a tiny wasp, a species of gall wasp.
The galls it produces by laying it's eggs in the acorn are known as Knopper Galls.

These galls are becoming quite common and may affect birds like the jay that like to feed on acorns.
Hope you find that helpful. Tbird+

[paddywak]

Thank you both for your rapid replies, I'd never really noticed them before and as there seemed to be a lot I didn't know if something was wrong with the tree

[GypsyGSD]

dont no about acorns but did you have good time away and did photos come through to you GypsyX