Growing up in the Hudson Valley, I spent much of my free time exploring the forest around my house in Ulster County, NY. While my walks in the woods led me to find artifacts ranging from shotgun shells to a literal piano (I took home all the keys and hung them on my bedroom wall), there was always a natural phenomenon that caught my attention: golf balls.

If you've spent any time in the New York wilderness, you know exactly what I'm talking about. These small, round balls look exactly like something Tiger Woods would take on tour, but instead of being made by Callaway or Titleist, they're created by nature. But what are they?

These "golf balls" have stumped New Yorkers for years... luckily with science and the Internet, we can all learn what these mystery objects actually are
These "golf balls" have stumped New Yorkers for years... luckily with science and the Internet, we can all learn what these mystery objects actually are (New Jersey State Parks, Forests & Historic Sites via Facebook/Goldfinch4ever via Canva)
loading...

Mystery "Golf Balls" in New York State

As kids, we called them smoke bombs, based on the fact that they were fragile and seemed to emit a cloud of, well, something, when crushed. As an adult, I finally have my answer... and it was nothing I ever expected.

Read More: The 4 Awesome Carnivorous Plants in New York State

Oak Apple Galls in New York State

If you come across one of these "golf balls" in the wild, you're most likely looking at an Oak Apple Gall. While they are naturally occurring in many New York woods, it's not the trees that create the balls, but rather one special insect. How it happens is fascinating.

Plant galls can range in shape, including these spiky grape tube galls
Plant galls can range in shape, including these spiky grape tube galls (Joe Boggs, OSU Extension)
loading...

What are Plant Galls?

Plant galls in general are caused when some sort of animal lays an egg in a leaf or stem. While some galls turn into wild shapes ranging from lumps to actual spikes (above), galls caused by the oak apple gall wasp look like brown golf balls, Naturalist Matt Pelligrine explains how they get their shape:

The galls are the work of the Spongy Oak Apple Wasp, a tiny parasitic wasp that stings oak leaf buds in the spring.  Once stung, the leaf forms a gall around the wasp’s egg.  The gall provides both food and a hiding place for the young wasp grub.

As far as I'm concerned, the fact that a small insect can turn an oak leaf into a "golf ball" is natural magic. It's also wild to know that if you come across one of these galls still attached to a leaf, there's most likely a little grub inside biding its time before it transforms into a wasp and is released into the world.

One of the best parts of living in the Hudson Valley is discovering all the wild things nature has to offer. From golf balls made by wasps to carnivorous plants, there's something to intrigue even the most jaded New Yorker. Check out which plants and animals are actually dangerous for our local ecosystem below.

5 of New York's Most Devastating Invasive Species

Here are 5 species that have invaded New York State and in some cases they must be killed. We are talking about fish that walk on land, plants that cause severe burns and insects that could wipe out a variety of crops that we rely on.

Keep an eye out for these species and you hike, work around the yard or do some fishing this year. Should you locate any of these it is important to report where and when you found them to the New York State DEC.

Gallery Credit: Karolyi

New York State's Invasive Plants To Be On The Lookout For

These seven invasive plants have become a nuisance to the wildlife and people living in New York State. Learn more about them and how to remove them at the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation here.

More From WRRV-WRRB