What's happened to the acorns on my tree?

Question

They started out, looking like normal pale green acorns, but now some look a bit like broccoli florets and others are more like undeveloped horse chestnuts in their green spiky shells. The pale green caps still look the same but no sign of a brown, oval nut. They are all a richer shade of green and some are red as well. This is the first year this has happened and as far as I can see, it's affected all but one of them.

Do you think this is a temporary disease or more permanent?

Answer 1

Not enough information here.  If they are galls, as has been suggested, there are books available, or you could contact a Master Gardener in your area.  Many galls do not harm the tree, and if this is a gall species it should not be affecting all of the acorns.  I can't remember the name someone used, but you can google oak or acorn galls and see if anything looks like what you're describing.  If you know the specific type of oak, use that information in your search.

Put a sample in a sealed container and take it to a trusted nursery or to the local university.  It's probably temporary, but in the event you've got some sort of fungus you'll want to deal with this as soon as possible.

Good luck.

Answer 2

These are nopper galls (not napper) if you go to this link and scroll almost to the bottom where the oak tree galls are you will get some info.

http://images.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl...

Answer 3

IIt sounds like they have been infected by the insect that causes "napper galls". I noticed similar acorns about 4 years ago & was told that the insect responsible was a relatively recent arrival in the UK.   Sadly, I've so far failed to find an image on the internet.

Answer 4

Summmmeeeerrr!!!!!!

: D FREEDOM!