A lot of gall

Over the years I have shared with you some of my
various Halloween collections. My newest
obsession are gifts from Mother Nature.
These oak balls, also known as galls, are insect
produced housing. Little critters lay their eggs
on tree twigs and secrete a chemical causing cells
to grow over the egg forming a protective housing
for the inhabitants. Each piece is an original, no
two are alike in shape, size or color. They range in
color from gothic black to vintage white to pale
pumpkin. You will find them scattered about my
home in bowls, under glass domes, and displayed in
centerpieces on my dining tables. Some refer to
these galls as abnormal growths and oddities but I
think they are the perfect “green” alternative to
Halloween decorating and I just can’t get
enough of them.

17 comments:

Traci Paynter said...

Wow - very interesting ! They are art pieces in themselves - very unique.

Jennifer MacNeill said...

Very cool. I had just discovered these on another blog and had never heard of them before that. I'll send you one of I ever find one:)

Chris 'Frog Queen' Davis said...

I agree, very interesting. A wondeful idea for decorating and quite a conversation piece.

Cheers!

anotherlinda said...

Oh my! I wish I had thought of that! When I come across them in our wooded area I stomp them! Not anymore!!! Linda

Duncan's Mom said...

I don't think I've ever noticed these before. We have no oaks, so I'll have to be on the lookout when I walk the dog around the neighborhood. Love those "found objects"!

MJ Ornaments said...

Those are so pretty Melissa, I never knew about them. :) Martha

Cottage Way of Life said...

I've never seen those before, but dang, if they aren't seriously cool! Now ... where to find something like that in my neck of the woods? Must investigate.

Monkey-Cats Studio said...

Very cool looking Melissa. Lots of oaks around here and down on the Missouri, but I don't recall ever seeing anyone collect them. Cool!!

Anonymous said...

OMG I have some of those I picked up in California in a deserted park.. I've always wondered what they were.
I knew they weren't gourds...

Pattee

Queen B. said...

waaaaaaaaaa cool !

Chatty Crone said...

I didn't even know something like this existed. Cool.

Robin Armstrong Seeber said...

Hi!!! how cool! , just stopping by to say hey, it has been too long! have a great week.. robin

julie campbell said...

These are fab and I too had no idea they even existed !
I have an award for you on my blog,
your blog is always such a wonderfulplace to visit :0)
julie xx

CEDAR JUNCTION said...

Here I thought they were just ammunition for little boys to throw at each other! LOL!

They make a nice collection. - Teresa

Skeleton In My Closet said...

How big are these?? I have a pin oak that gets them but they are really small - yours look huge!

Josie

Tonya said...

Where do you find them? They are so cool.

tonyadusold.blogpsot.com
tonyadusold.etsy.com

Holly said...

I never knew what those were......grew up in northern California and played with them a ton as a child...along with the acorns and acorn caps that were tea cups for my imaginary friends!! Thanks for sharing the knowledge~Holly