A few of the more common species of gall-producing insects attacking hickory are Phylloxera caryaecaulis, Caryomyia holotricha, C. sanguinolenta, and C. tubicola. Definition of gall from Columbia Encyclopedia: gall, abnormal growth, or hypertrophy, of plant tissue produced by chemical or mechanical (e.g., the rubbing together of two branches) irritants or hormones. Chemical irritants are released by parasitic fungi, bacteria, nematode worms, gall insects, and mites. Here is a link that might be useful: source of quote

It's a leafhopper, perhaps the grape leafhopper.

So about 100 miles East of San Franciso in northern CA and not near the coast. Good fertile soil or Delmonte wouldn't be there. Summers dry and hot, winters cool and rainy. If you lived nearer the coast you could have problems with the fog and what's called the June Glooms, in particular, which can lead to both types of Powdery Mildew which affects the foliage. You have little problems with the common foliage diseases b'c it so dry most of the time. The major problem would be some of the systemic diseases such as Fusarium, Verticillium , etc., and possibly Root Knot Nematodes. Because the soilborne systemic diseases can be so different in different parts of CA I'm going to suggest that you call your local Cooperative Extension and ask them what specific soilborne diseases are likely to be encountered. And be sure to ask about Fusarium and what specific races, there are three, that can be found there. Also, be sure to ask about Root Knot Nematodes and also if there is any Bacterial Canker there or Late Blight ( P. infestans). Modesto is a large city so there should be plenty of nurseries there that sell plants if you aren't going to raise your own plants from seed. The timing of when you put out plants, either inground or in containers is also important, so ask about that. I would imagine that plants need to be set out as early as possible in the early Spring so that fruits can set before the high heat of summer. High heat with sustained temps over about 90-95 F can destroy pollen leading to loss of pollen viability and blossom drop. Some in your area might do two crops a year, a Spring Crop where you'd grow interdeterminate varieties and midseason varieties and a seond Fall crop where you'd grow short and mid season varieties. You should be able to grow any varieties you want to. I know a few folks who live inland from San Francisco and they do and they would be to your East, not as far inland as you are. Hope that helps. Carolyn, who notes....ahem, very different from Massachusetts as well I know since I'm in upstate NY on the VT border and can be in Western, Mass in about 45 min.

Well, here it is Wednesday and still no official word. I spoke with my attorney's office on Monday and they are still trying to verify the closing on Monday. I am about to lose my mind. I think it is possible that my buyer's attorney is waiting for the other transaction to close (the buyer of his client's house) before he schedules the closing, but I can't even get confirmation of that! I am trying to stay calm but this is very disturbing. We have in our contract that if the house does not close by April 10th then we can back out. Of course we would have to give the buyer her earnest money back and the house would have to go back on the market and if there were any offers, they would likely be less than what we are getting now. I am disinclined to back out right after the 10th as long as I have a reasonable expectation that this will happen. My husband is saying that we shouldn't give them much time after the 10th to make this happen and should put the house back on the market and give her right of first refusal if we get an offer. My buyer does not have any other means to purchase the house and she has taken a big hit on hers. She wants the house, has been trying to move to this community for 2 years, so I know she is motivated. My emotions are in turmoil at this time.