Ash tree with misshapen leaves

Adam Cheeseman · #1 (**permalink**) 08-09-2009, 11:47 AM

Hi All,

'fraid I have no photo as yet, but I found a stand of young ash trees yesterday that had distinctly misshapen leaves. It looks as though some form of gall forming creature has possibly been at work. The tip of every leaf has the appearance of being slightly shredded or having been cut roughly with pinking shears. There is also a distinct reduction of chlorophyll along the venations of the affected leaves.
Anyone come across this or know what it might be. I tried keying out a possible gall for it yesterday but to no avail.
Will try and get a photo for it soon.

Cheers,

Adam

nakedgardener · #2 (**permalink**) 08-09-2009, 01:25 PM

By this time of year lots of tree leaves are showing all sorts of galls, fungus and beastie damage. They'll be dropping in a month's time, so no need to worry!

Adam Cheeseman · #3 (**permalink**) 08-09-2009, 02:00 PM

Not worried at all. Just not seen this before, so if it is caused by another lifeform it will most probably be a new species for the site.

Cheers,

Adam

Hobjob · #4 (**permalink**) 15-09-2009, 09:05 PM

Adam, from what you describeit doesn't sound like a gall, as no physical
change has been induced in the host - i.e. no thickening, leaf curl, or
other deformation. And thatg is required to gall it a gall!

Any photo?

David

hamadryad · #5 (**permalink**) 20-09-2009, 09:58 AM

Is this deformation on EVERY leaf?

Is it definitely ash trees, not pergodas?

This sounds to me more like some sort of fern leaf/cut leaf scenario?

davidbr · #6 (**permalink**) 20-09-2009, 05:23 PM

It could well be a cultivar; a lot of common trees have a "fern-leaved" variety, or one with deeply cut leaves. There's certainly a type of ash with single rather than pinnate leaves, which left me totally confused when I first saw it, so it's a possibility.

A photo would probably be needed, though