Are these lumps aesthetic flaws, or an infestation? And are they fixable?

  • Aesthetic only, fixable

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Aesthetic only, unfixably flawed material

    Votes: 1 100.0%
  • Insect, treatable/curable

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Insect, cleanse them with fire

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Virus, treatable/curable

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Virus, feed it to the hungry flames

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Fungus, treatable/curable

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Fungus, light it up like a military draft card

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Total voters
    1

electronfusion

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I bought this texas scarlet chaenomeles japonica at a big box store last month, since it looked healthy, large, and relatively low priced. It was only after I took it home and started chopping away all the twiggy growth that I noticed my intended trunk has some reverse taper in spots. If it just is a matter of branches having grown wrong, then I'll eventually shorten to below those points and it won't matter. What I'm concerned about is if some insect o r fungus or virus has done these. Are they galls like oak trees get? Will they spread throughout the tree? Will they spread to nearby trees of the same family? Is there a cure I can buy somewhere?
 

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Potawatomi13

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No insult meant. Black and white great for exhibition but bad trying to see problems with trees. Can get color shots for experts with your species please?
 

electronfusion

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Sure! The tree is positioned right by a window, with vivid pink grow lights behind it, so I was trying to minimize distraction. Anyhow, will take new pics...
 

electronfusion

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Here are some possibly clearer photos.
 

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Wires_Guy_wires

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They shouldn't be kept indoors, that's for sure.

Second, I don't know what happened to those branches. I have a number of theories, but all of them would mean to things: It's either unfixable or it's going to take longer than growing a new one from seed.
It could be that these branches were manipulated at the shoulders, so they formed callus as a result and what you're seeing are scars.
It could be that these branches have some form of fungal rust, and that it's safer to burn the tree. Because rusts will spread and they will infect other trees from related families, or apples -> junipers like apple cedar rust.
It could be that these branches were grafted on, which would explain a lot, but there's no good motive to paste branches on a trunk instead of doing actual scion grafting.

Maybe someone else can chime in, my quinces are too young to show any scarring.
 

River's Edge

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I would suspect the cankers are caused by Cedar-Quince rust. That would account for the distorted features and erratic growth pattern. Regardless of the cause, my recommendation would be to seek out more suitable material. I would also suggest careful disinfection of any tools used on this tree.
 

electronfusion

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😑🙄 The tree in question is not kept indoors, so no worries there.

Knowing where the tree came from, I'm fairly certain the branches were not manipulated in any way prior to my buying it.

So, sounds like feedback is leaning toward fungal rust. 😥 I guess I'll be tossing the tree. Luckily I'm already in the habit of sterilizing tools.
 
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