My tree’s leaves have bumps on them

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Many things can cause bumps or strange looking growths on the leaves of your trees. The good news is that many of them are not harmful to the tree and require no treatment. Most of these conditions are going to be galls caused by parasitic wasps (NOT parasitic to humans!) or tissue damage due to various fungal organisms. Galls Galls are usually more of a cosmetic problem rather than a health issue. Galls form as a hormonal response to insects or mites and may appear as balls, knobs, lumps or warts, each being characteristic of the specific pest. In addition to their unusual structure, galls may draw attention due to their range of colors: red, green, yellow or black. While leaf galls are the most commonly seen plant galls, they can also occur on twigs and buds. Galls can be induced by viruses, bacteria, nematodes and fungi as well as insects and mites. Fungi & Insects There are several fungal organisms and insects that can cause distorted leaf growth. While certainly not good for a tree they are usually cyclical from year to year and most often require no treatment unless severe.