On 13/03/2018 19:23, Chris Hogg wrote:
On Tue, 13 Mar 2018 18:59:52 +0000, Nick wrote:

Young Ash plant close to my workshop door has some growths that I
definitely do not recognise.
I will dig it out anyway but I don't think I've ever seen such growth
before.
Links to a couple of pics below.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/uepmnls75n...0crop.jpg?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/x7m5j2f8bj...0crop.jpg?dl=0

I very much like & enjoy ash but not this close to a building.

Many thanks,

Nick

It's a burl. This is a distorted growth caused either by physical
damage at some time, or an insect or virus attack. Large burls are
valued by wood-turners for the interesting and complex wood-grain
patterns found within them. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burl

Thank you Chris,
I had an inkling that it might be a burl but I've never seen such
develop so rapidly or abundantly before. The tiny whorls visible
certainly show sign of insect infestation.
I've turned a few burls and very beautiful they can be. Unfortunately
this is way too close to a building to allow it to come to any maturity.
Nick