If you have a backyard and take care of plants, you need to be aware of potential issues that can arise. Continue reading to learn more about a peculiar “jelly-like nut” you might find in your garden.
One morning, a Reddit user from Oklahoma discovered something unusual. They noticed numerous “yellow jelly” substances in the trees, as well as a mysterious “jelly alien nut,” which left them perplexed.
The user sought assistance from the Reddit community to solve the puzzle. They mentioned in their post that the tree was a conifer, although they were uncertain of the specific type.
Soon after, another user identified the phenomenon as “cedar-apple rust.” This plant disease requires two hosts to complete its life cycle and primarily affects apples and crabapples.
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The symptoms of this disease on different trees can differ.
On a juniper tree, brown, long-lasting galls develop on the twigs. As these galls mature, they produce orange, gelatinous horns in the spring when the weather tends to be rainy. Occasionally, the part of the twig beyond the gall may die, but the juniper host remains largely unaffected otherwise.
On apple or crabapple trees, circular yellow spots emerge on the leaves soon after they bloom. By late summer, brownish clusters of threads or cylindrical tubes can be seen beneath the spots on the leaves, twigs, or fruits.
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Regarding the duration of the disease, galls form seven months after the initial infection begins. After 18 months, these galls transform into gelatinous masses. The next spring, golf-ball-like depressions appear on the gall, allowing for the growth of telial horns. During spring rains, the brownish telial horns extend and change to a bright orange color. Once the spores are released, the horns wither, dry out, and fall off. Although the galls eventually die, they remain attached to the tree for at least another year. The infection becomes most noticeable in spring when the gall is coated in gelatinous masses.
There are several methods to control the infection. One option is to prune off the infected areas. Alternatively, you can choose to leave it alone, as the infection doesn’t kill trees but may disfigure plants where affected twigs are present. Preventative measures are also available, such as using fungicides or selecting resistant apple varieties.
Overall, this infection doesn’t pose a significant threat to trees. However, it’s essential to recognize it so you can take appropriate action if it appears in your backyard. Share this information with others so they, too, can learn about this infection!
