Plant galls are growth deformities developed under the influence of parasitic insects. The gall-midge Rhabdophaga strobiloides (O.S.) induces a gall on the terminal bud of newly growing twigs of the heart-leaf willow Salix cordata Muhl. (Salicaceae). It was noticed that subversion of the apical meristem during gall formation seldom resulted in the bursting of lateral buds. In other words it appeared that the gall asserted apical dominance. I performed an experiment to determine if the gallmaker directly inhibits development of lateral buds by continued stimulation of the plant, or if terminal bud tissue simply retains this characteristic throughout its conversion into gall tissue.