lilac disease process

Greensboro, NC(Zone 7b)

Neighbor asked me to look at his lilacs, but I'm at a loss.

Bumpy hard yellow growths on top side of leaves, mostly new growth tips. Leaf curl, it is spreading slowly.

Please help?

Thanks.

A.

Thumbnail by AmandaEsq Thumbnail by AmandaEsq Thumbnail by AmandaEsq
Contra Costa County, CA(Zone 9b)

I think those are galls. Never seen them so bad.
Most of the time an insect (often a wasp) lays an egg just under the leaf surface. As the larvae grows it exudes a plant growth hormone that tells the leaf to make extra tissue like that.
There is not much to do, except remove the leaves so the larvae does not become an adult that will lay more eggs.

Prairieville, LA(Zone 9a)

Here is a link that may be of use to you. I would also suggest posting on the insect ID forum...pewrhaps someone there can id whether an insect or a fungus.

http://www.cals.ncsu.edu/plantpath/extension/clinic/

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