What is this growth on juniper branches

Question: These were on a juniper tree near Steelhead Falls. What are they?

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied September 10, 2024, 12:43 PM EDT
response: Wow, what an interesting question!  I have to admit, I don't have a good response.  My first reaction was that this photo looks like burrs from various weeds, such as cockleburr or burdock, that maybe were dropped by birds while feeding upon the burrs for the little seeds within.  My second response was to research about junipers, and yes, there are female trees with the bluish-gray berries we are familiar with, and also male trees with a smallish brownish-yellow cone.  Along those lines, I also found photos of smallish cones on similar trees like cedars and arborvitaes (Thuja family) and also cypresses (Cupressaceae family).  But none of those cones completely resembled the ones you photographed.  That's the best I can come up with.  If you want additional help, let me know and I can forward your question to other Ask Extension experts in horticulture.    Cindy Brown, OSU Sherman County Extension, Moro OR

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied September 10, 2024, 12:52 PM EDT
response: Wow, what an interesting question!  I have to admit, I don't have a good response.  My first reaction was that this photo looks like burrs from various weeds, such as cockleburr or burdock, that maybe were dropped by birds while feeding upon the burrs for the little seeds within.  My second response was to research about junipers, and yes, there are female trees with the bluish-gray berries we are familiar with, and also male trees with a smallish brownish-yellow cone.  Along those lines, I also found photos of smallish cones on similar trees like cedars and arborvitaes (Thuja family) and also cypresses (Cupressaceae family).  But none of those cones completely resembled the ones you photographed.  That's the best I can come up with.  If you want additional help, let me know and I can forward your question to other Ask Extension experts in horticulture.    Cindy Brown, OSU Sherman County Extension, Moro OR

responder: The Question Asker Replied September 10, 2024, 1:02 PM EDT
response: Would you please…forward my question!The “cones” were attached to branches. The ones I took I had to pull off.  There were several of those odd things on the one tree. I’m familiar with the female juniper berries and the very small male conesI wondered if they could be deformed female berries … affected by disease, etcThey didn’t look like any gall pictured online. Junipers are such an interesting tree….Thanks so much for your help, Cindy!Krista On Tue, Sep 10, 2024 at 9:43 AM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: Amy Jo Detweiler,  Professor and Extension Horticulturist  Replied September 10, 2024, 8:30 PM EDT
response: Hi Krista,  This is an insect gall from a midge larvae (Walshomyia).  A gall is when the plant tissue responds by growing irregular like when disturbed by insects, etc.   Here are two references to it:  https://extension.oregonstate.edu/sites/default/files/documents/tb152.pdf  (pg. 19 in the publication)   https://calphotos.berkeley.edu/cgi/img_query?enlarge=1111+1111+2222+2349   There is no recommended management as it will not cause any significant damage.    Thanks

responder: The Question Asker Replied September 10, 2024, 8:39 PM EDT
response: Thank you for the explanation!On Tue, Sep 10, 2024 at 5:30 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote: