A: I appreciate the photo you sent and I suspect the culprit is most likely a disease called Crown gall. Crown gall is commonly found as growths on the roots or stems of plants in the rose family especially the genus Prunus. Prunus includes many of the fruit trees such as peach, plum and apple. In fact, it has been found on more than 600 plant species, so you can imagine the economic devastation it can cause to homeowners and commercial growers. Since it is located near the root attachment to the stem it greatly reduces, if not stops, the necessary water and nutrients from getting to other portions of the plant. This can cause stunting, leaf and fruit drop or lower fruit quality and production. The cause of the disease is a bacterium which is normally found in the soil. Any wound to the root or stem structure during planting will allow a place for the bacterium to enter into the plant and become established. There is no chemical treatment for the disease. I would remove the plant and destroy it. This bacterium can live in the soil for over two years so I would be careful about planting another tree or shrub from the same family at this site. But more importantly it is best to be extremely careful when planting new trees and shrubs to avoid damaging the stem.

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