Walking the lanes here on the hill during a sunny respite between the seemingly ever persistent storms I noticed something in the hedgerows.
A small almost insignificant oak was growing among the brambles. What attracted me to it is that it was supporting a number of Galls.
Galls, or Oak Apples as they are often called, are formed by Gall Wasps laying eggs within the tissue of the Oak; which then swells to form a Gall. The Wasp lava feeds on the Gall until it emerges as an adult. The galls here will have long been vacated; during the summer. What remains is just the dried out ‘husk’. There are many different types of gall Wasp in the UK; around 250 all told I believe. A bit of interest on a bright January day.
Letter From Norfolk 