Ash tree seed-like bunches

Question

I’ve had success treating and preventing EAB on my front and backyard ash trees. So far they’re doing well. After the leaves were gone on the ash in our backyard, I happen to notice groupings of seed-like bunches at the ends of various branches. My wife says they appear every year, but this time is the first time I took notice. Plucking a bunch down they appear like seeds in a bunch, but I’m not an expert. These bunches are not appearing on the ash in the front yard. Can you tell me if this is normal seeding growth or something ok, or is it possibly a disease growth that I need to treat?

Thanks, Jerry Galli.

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Answer 1

These bunches actually look like the flower clusters of the ash tree. However, the flowers normally appear in late winter or early spring, so unless you are in the southern hemisphere, these flowers are appearing at the wrong time. The clusters also look overly abundant.

The cause could be perhaps unseasonable weather, or it could be this problem:
http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/gardens-gardening/your-garden/help-for-the-home-gardener/advice-tips-resources/pests-and-problems/other/galls/gall-forming-eriophyid-mites.aspx
http://hort.uwex.edu/articles/ash-flower-gall/
https://ask.extension.org/questions/192681

Compare to these pictures of normal flower clusters:
http://forestry.ohiodnr.gov/whiteash