Strange growths on a camellia

[barnsleylass]

My neighbour's camellia has developed bulb-like, round 'things' on it's branches. They don't look like flower buds (or at least not like the ones on my camellias). Any ideas as to what they are and what he should do with them, if anything? We live in South Yorkshire, England. Many thanks.

[Thunderbird+]

Hi Barnsleylass, It sounds like youe neighbour's camellia has got Camellia Galls, they do no great harm to the tree but can be unsightly.
These growths are caused by a fugi ( Exobasidium camlliea) or E. giganteum, the latter can grow to 6 inches long.
When the galls become a whiteish color they have become ripe and the spores can then be reliesed, the trick is, is to remove them by hand preferably before they reach that stage. Good Luck Tbird+

[barnsleylass]

Wow ... super fast answer! Many thanks Tbird+ I'll pass this information on to him.