If you spot this jelly-like creature in your backyard, you had better know what it means
Understanding the Mysterious Jelly-like Creature in Your Garden
A Reddit user in Oklahoma stumbled upon a peculiar sight in their backyard: yellow jelly-like masses hanging from trees, resembling “jelly alien nuts.” Thanks to the Reddit community, they identified it as ‘cedar-apple rust,’ a disease affecting apple and juniper trees.
Cedar-apple rust displays differently on various trees. On junipers, it forms brown galls on twigs, evolving into gelatinous horns during rainy spring weather. Conversely, on apple or crabapple trees, it manifests as circular yellow lesions on leaves, progressing to brownish clusters of threads under the spots by late summer.
The infection cycle spans over months, from initial galls to gelatinous masses and telial horns releasing spores in spring. Although it disfigures plants, it seldom kills trees. Management involves pruning infected areas or utilizing preventative fungicides.
Despite its odd appearance, cedar-apple rust doesn’t severely harm trees. Understanding it equips gardeners to tackle it effectively, ensuring a healthy backyard environment. Share this knowledge to empower others facing similar sightings!
