Strange Growth I.D.

[boom64]

Hi All ,
Thought I better find out what is happening here. Especially after the demise of K.C.R.s Privet. I have two thick fleshy growths on the trunk of a Kunzea I have. They are about six cm long and about four cm high. I did pick a bit of bark of once and there was green growth below. Have had the tree for several years and growth has always been good so never took much more notice ,regarded it as just another scar it acquired .The orange fungus appeared about two to three months ago. The tree is in a sunny position and the growth is pretty high up on trunk.
Just starting to think I might have been a little to complacent...….Thanks John.

[shibui]

This looks like the 'burls' that occur on some trees. I believe that it starts with some sort of damage or infection. I guess the tree grows extra wood to try to heal the problem but for some reason never stops that spot from growing. In most cases I think the trees remain healthy ad appear to live normal lives except with a growing bulge. Burls can get quite big on some trees.
The fungal fruits may be the cause or might just be a secondary infection that's got in through the abnormal growth. You could try a systemic fungicide to kill the fungi or just enjoy it as a new part of your bonsai.

If the burls continue to grow larger it might look a bit odd. You could leave them as a natural part of the tree, even if it does look a bit unusual or you could try cutting them off. Not sure whether amputation will work - it might just grow back again.
Interested to hear if anyone else has experience with this sort of growth.

[Raging Bull]

I agree with shibui about the orange fungus. I don't know if it will harm the healthy wood, but the only way to treat it is with Systemic fungicide. The part of the fungus you see is just the "flowering" part. The main part of the fungus will be in the wood itself and it is impossible to tell how far the microscopic tendrils have invaded the plant.

[Joel]

Looks to me like an Agrobacterium infection followed by a secondary infection of a bracket fungus by the name of Pycnoporus coccineus.

[shibui]

Thanks Joel, that's another new name to me Burls have the most amazing grain when they are cut open and are highly sought after by woodworkers. Now that I know it is caused by a bacterium I wonder whether I can transfer if from one plant to another and grow my own burls

[boom64]

Thanks Shibui ,Raging Bull and Joel .
I will spray some Confidor and hope for the best in regards to the bracket fungus. The Burl I will just let it go....
If you want some Agrobacterium Shibui, am more than happy to take a sample and send it to you. Cheers John.

[Rory]

If you want some Agrobacterium Shibui, am more than happy to take a sample and send it to you. Cheers John.

[terryb]

Thanks Joel, that's another new name to me Burls have the most amazing grain when they are cut open and are highly sought after by woodworkers. Now that I know it is caused by a bacterium I wonder whether I can transfer if from one plant to another and grow my own burls

Definitely able to be transferred. Certainly some of the rosaceae are particularly susceptible. Using Agrobacterium was one of the original ways of introducing new genes to speed up plant breeding. There are more efficient ways now.

[melbrackstone]

What a wealth of talent there is here, thanks so much for sharing these little gems of info.

[Sno]

Hi John . If it is Crown Gall ,fire is a good option . Burn the potting mix too . At least don't reuse it .

[boom64]

Just a quick update ,Tree now expired and all soil bagged and binned. Pot cleaned and on shed roof sunbaking.. A valuable lesson learnt ,gnarly and weathered yes but diseased no. Appreciate all the feedback especially sno and your advice. Cheers John.

[Sno]

Unfortunately I think you have made the right decision .i would be careful when repotting and pruning for a while . Sterilize the tools and potting bench between trees . It spreads through the soil and tools and trees are susceptible through cuts .https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/ ... -of-plants