I HAVE A QUESTION FOR YOU. I HAVE A MAPLE TREE IN MY YARD WITH THESE BIG KNOBS ON THE BRANCHES. THEY ARE NOT NEW GROWTH KNOBS, THEY LOOK LIKE BIG ROUND BALLS ON ALMOST EVERY BRANCH. THERE IS A LITTLE HOLE THAT IS IN THE CENTER OF EACH KNOB, BUT IT IS REALLY SMALL. I DON'T THINK ANYTHING CAN CRAWL INTO IT. I HAVE CUT TWO OF THEM OPEN AND THEY ARE SOLID ALL THE WAY THRU. THE WOOD IS A DARK BROWN COLOR. I CAN SEE THE GROWTH RINGS IN IT. THE WOOD IS NOT ROTTEN, JUST DARK BROWN. THE BARK AROUND THE KNOBS LOOKS KIND OF FLAKEY. DO YOU KNOW IF THIS TREE IS DISEASED? SHOULD I CUT IT DOWN OR HAVE IT TRIMMED BACK? WILL IT SPREAD TO MY OTHER TREES IN THE YARD?(ELM, CRAB TREE) PLEASE EMAIL ME. THANKS RICH.