The Knitting Fiend

OMG! Look at the leaves on my Oak Tree! ( Larger image..)

I couldn’t get a really good photo of the whole tree, but the leaves seem half eaten. I swear, they didn’t look like before the thunderstorm this afternoon. It seems to have happened suddenly.

I’m horrified by the thought this might be the work of Gypsy Moths, famous devastator of Oak Trees? I’m live in a subdivision named for oak trees. My tree is a relatively young one planted by the former owners, but the hill is covered with hundred year old oak trees.

Because I’m worried about the whole block, I walked around. The older trees don’t look as munched as my trees, but I did see some munching. I can’t take picture or get a good look because the leaves on the older trees are 10 feet above my head.

Needless to say, I’m running around figuring out how to contact the University of Illinois Extension. I’ll be leaving another note, that’s for sure!

I’ve snipped a leaf off the tree to show a close up; to see, click close up of munched leaf.

If anyone has other possible diagnoses, let me know. I’m taking a leaf to the Morton Arboretum tomorrow. Gosh, let’s hope it’s not Gypsy Moth!

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Post script: My trees are fine. I went to the Arboretum, and she said the curling was some type of “gall”. The munching ( and there isn’t that much munching, even though it’s what scared me) is bugs, but not gypsie moth. It’s fine. Yay!