Evening star., 1944-07-24
This and That
By Charles E. Trace,Dell.
SILVER SPRING M'


Dear Sir:
please assist us in identifying the
tree from which the enclosed twie was
taken, also the one with the queer
growth on 1t.
These trees grow along the Parkway
near Dale drive, and they all have this
hard, woody growth on the branches.
1t Is tall tree, nearly as tall as the
tulip trees around. and the branches
and bark are similar to the oaks, but
the leaf is so different.
rs this peculiar growth something
that is harmful. and will 1t spread to
other trees nearby?
Your column has been a great pleas
ure to me, as have much interest in
birds, flowers and trees. This growth
and the enclosed twig with the leaves
came from the same tree
With many thanks. am
Very truly, H.T.v."
The tree probably is the willow oak,
whose leaves are smooth rather than
indented as the leaves of most oaks The
willow oak grows from go to 30 feet
tall.
The strange brown growth is gall,
sometimes called oak apples
1t Is formed as the trees reply to the
sting or intrusion of some insect, in
most cases.
It Is an effort of the tree to protect
itself by walling of the offender.
Gall flies. as they are called, lay the
eggs, and then the tree builds up for
them this nice tough cradle, and even
obligingly supplies some food to 60 with
1t.
Just why it is so generous Is not
known, but the general idea seems to
be to get the grub out of circulation.
often oaks will have hundreds OF
these gals. They are not. in the main,
harmful to the tree and will not spread,
although of course where there is one
gall fly there are likely to be hundreds
Of them, and the gals will grow In num-
bers, naturally.
The reaction of the tree depends
upon the intruder, which sets up stimuli,
and these In turn seem to prod the tree
to do something about it.
Ergot Of rye and ear-cockle OF wheat
are gals, and are very injurious. One
curious gall is the root tubercle caused
by nitrogenous bacteria on leguminous
plants. These are immensely beneficial,
and make the use of atmospheric nitro
gen possible.
For centuries men puzzled over the
gals and had many fantastic ideas
about them.
Washington has perhaps as repre-
sentative selection of trees as any
city In the world.
Not only has it most OF the native
American trees, especially many from
Canada, but it has specimens from
foreign lands, including the famous
oriental cherries around the tidal
BASIN
Oaks and NAPLES make good shade
trees, and have been generously used
throughout the city and suburbs.
There are some Chinese elms. They
are quick growers, and a pleasant tree
to look at, but they are covered all
through July and August with great
worms, which make them a great nui-
sance where washing is hung out
A very fine tree is the Kentucky
coffee tree, which has Canada" hitched
onto its scientific name, but which grows
largely In the United States. Two good
specimens may be seen at the main
entrance of the Chevy Chase Club at
Connecticut avenue and Quincy street,
Chevy Chase. Md.
1t Is said that during the Civil War,
the seeds, which come packed in soft
green gelatine in q hard shell, were
roasted and used as substitute for
coffee. Perhaps the best modern use Of
these interesting pods is as rattles to
amuse babies or cats. The pods take
a high polish, and with a little effort
may be made into interesting toys.