Photos?

Sounds like a fungus called Black Knot.....

Here is a link that might be useful: Black knot

We'll have to have photos for an ID, unless you can verify someone's guess.

at a min ... we need to know what tree ..

if prunus... especially plum or purple plum.. in MI .. its black knot ...

if juniper.. probably the same ....

otherwise.. an inventive dog ....

i recall some old charlie chan movie.. where the villain was.. who flung poo ...

ken

Thanks to all that sent in info.
I do think this is Black knot. From everything I've seen and read it is Black knot. Unknowingly I have been doing the right thing of cutting it back in the winter.
I think the trees are some sort of Maple. Maybe Swamp Maple. The bark is the same as the Sugar Maples in the front yard, when the trees are young.
Thanks again
Gmom

If "swamp maple", this is not black knot. that disease affects only members of the genus Prunus-cherries, plums, etc.

+oM

Gmom2-6boys, got a camera?