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How to Cure Galls in Aspen Trees
How to Cure Galls in Aspen Trees. Aspen tree gall is created by aspen twiggall flies, which produce large, round lumps on the twigs of your aspen. Although tree gall is somewhat unattractive, it rarely causes serious damage. But once galls begin to form, the condition is largely irreversible.
Aspen tree gall is created by aspen twiggall flies, which produce large, round lumps on the twigs of your aspen. Although tree gall is somewhat unattractive, it rarely causes serious damage. But once galls begin to form, the condition is largely irreversible.
Things You'll Need
Herbs from dill family
Sweet alyssum
Sunflowers
Birdbath
Stones
Bird feeder
Black-oil sunflower seeds
Shelled peanuts
Aspen Twiggall Fly Reduction
Plant small, shallow flowers in your garden that are heavy on nectar and pollen. Herbs from the dill family, sweet alyssum and sunflowers should do the trick. These plants will help to increase the number of parasitic wasps that feed on the twiggall fly.
Place a birdbath near your aspen. Put stones in the water so the wasps have a safe place to land and drink. The birdbath will also help in attracting birds that prey on the twiggall fly.
Buy a bird feeder to place on your aspen. Fill the feeder with black-oil sunflower seeds or shelled peanuts. These attract chickadees, which feed on the the flies.
Avoid over-watering or over-fertilizing your tree. Twiggall flies are attracted to succulent aspens. If you can manage to moderate your tree's growth, it is possible to reduce tree gall.
Tips & Warnings
These are only attempts to help with twiggall fly reduction, in hopes of reducing the tree's gall. They are not a cure for the problem. Once your tree has gall, there is nothing more you can do. It might be best to just enjoy the tree's knobby nature.
Avoid spraying your aspen with insecticides, especially if you are trying to increase the number of natural predators. Insecticides can only prevent the twiggall flies from attacking. They cannot cure the tree of gall.
Be extremely careful of cutting or pruning your tree. Snipping away at the gall is not recommended. Aspens are an extremely delicate species and very susceptible to disease.
