Turkey Oak health advice

[mugelbbub]

Hi,

 

I am hoping someone can ease my concern or point me in the right direction regarding the health of a Tree.

 

We have, what I am led to believe is, a Turkey Oak in our rear garden (is subject to a TPO). It is Mature multi stemmed (8 stems) 13m high tree with a 7m radius canopy.

 

I have not taken great interest in tree's (but for admiration) before and know little about them.

 

We have lived at the property only since April 2014 and that year the tree appeared fine. During 2015 however, the tree started to shed its leaves in June and continued to do so through to autumn. Its branches seemed to wilt (hang down) and it also shed twigs. During the latter part of that summer it developed fruit but these only grew to less than pea size, dark brown/black and fell off in clusters whereas trees next door (not sure which Oak type) bore full acorns.

 

This year there is new growth but also a lot of dry branch/twigs (up to 1/2" dia) loss with a bit of wind.

 

Is the above 'normal' or does it warrant concern?

 

I have photo's of Tree, Leaves, Fruit, Twigs etc if helpful.

 

Really interested if I need to be concerned and what next step might be.

 

Thank You

[diervek]

no that's the knopper gall wasp

 

Ahh, cheers. I knew it was some waspy bugger

[Alinicoll]

Cynipidae is the family so a knopper is a Cynidid. Some start out from root galls and move up the same tree to make galls in the canopy. Others like the knopper require two seperate species. They're strange little creatures.