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Galls are Common on Oak Trees

The oak hedgehog gall on White Oak (Quercus alba) leaf, caused by a Cynipid gall wasp, is one of the many types of galls that are created when various species of wasps lay eggs on oaks.
Bruce Marlin, via Wikimedia Commons

Galls are created in plant tissue due to the powerful enzymes given off by an immature gall-forming insect as it grows.

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Rudy Mancke served as naturalist and co-host of South Carolina ETV's <i>NatureScene</i>, which began its long run in 1978. His field trips, broadcast nationwide, earned him a legion of dedicated viewers. Rudy's knowledge of the complex inner-workings of different ecosystems and his great admiration for the natural world make him the perfect guide. In fact, the National Wildlife Federation and the Garden Club of America honored his commitment to resource conservation with special awards. After retiring from SCETV, Rudy went on to become naturalist-in-residence at the University of South Carolina, Columbia. He hosted SC Public Radio's <i>NatureNotes</i> from 1999 until his death in 2023 at age 78.