r/australianplants • u/mandalorian4 • 6d ago

Weird growths on Gum branches

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My mum has this what I think is a lemon scented gum in her front yard which has these weird growths on the trunk and branches towards the canopy.

She had a lawn guy who was working on the neighbours house knock on her door and said the branches were dangerous and at risk of falling.

Any ideas what it could be? She’s making contact with a local arborist but would I’d like to get some feedback in the interim.

Thanks!

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u/Illustrious-Time9899 6d ago

They look like burls, worth having an arborist take a look - can be caused by a bacterial or fungal infection and other environmental stressors. If you are in an area where the PSHB is a concern, may be worth getting it checked out, local government can organise it at no cost to you for an inspection and if it is, they will cover any arbor work.

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u/OneUpAndOneDown 6d ago

PSHB?

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u/Illustrious-Time9899 5d ago

Sorry, the Polyphagous Shothole Borer (PSHB). It's an active biosecurity threat at the moment in Australia. It is really doing a number on our trees, and it has managed to adapt to the Australian conditions and native flora too well.

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u/OneUpAndOneDown 5d ago

Thanks, and awwww... crap...