I planted this plumb tree last fall. I did no soil amendment other then compost in to mulch. I dug twice the width of the pot(5ft), and dug a 3inX6in trench around the perimeter. It's planted quite literally in rock(backfilled with top soil). We have webworm here but they pretty well stick to the elms. I've picked two webworm "egg sacks" off the tree. Leaves were fine until it got cold. Leaves fell off like normal, now has three new growth branches, healthy looking green limbs and leaves. I don't know anything about fruit trees. I planned to thin the tree back this spring. Why are the branches exploding? I would say 80% of all(big and small) branches have this... design? I've spent roughly 10 hours browing pictures and reading but it doesn't seem to match any diseases... Any ideas would be appreciated. I don't have any other fruit tress for at least a block. Just oak.