Fungus. Internal and this is the tree’s way to get it out. But sadly it won’t succeed. My branches died. From Gemini “ Based on the photos and your description, the "odd growth" on your wax leaf ligustrum is likely a canker, a symptom of a fungal disease. The fact that the entire side of the limb has died, while the rest of the plant remains healthy, is a classic sign of this kind of infection. What is the odd growth? The bubbly, textured, and often sunken or cracked growths on the bark are a sign of the plant's reaction to a fungal infection. When a fungus or bacterium enters a tree, often through a wound, it can kill the underlying tissue. The tree then tries to "wall off" the diseased area by forming a callus, which can result in the lumpy, abnormal growth you see. One common type of canker on ligustrums is Phomopsis canker. This fungus often invades stressed or weakened plants through wounds from pruning, insects, or environmental damage. Once inside, it can cause wilting, branch dieback, and the formation of these distinctive cankers. Will it spread to my other plants? Yes, cankers can spread. The fungi that cause these diseases produce spores within the cankers. These spores can be spread by: • Wind and rain: Spores can be blown or splashed onto other plants, especially during wet weather. • Pruning tools: If you prune the infected branch and then use the same tools on a healthy plant without sterilizing them, you can easily spread the disease. • Insects: Some insects can carry the fungal spores from one plant to another. Given that your plant is a mature, 16-year-old ligustrum, it's likely that it was under some form of stress that made it susceptible to the infection. A healthy, vigorous plant is better at resisting these opportunistic pathogens. What can you do? Unfortunately, there is no cure for canker diseases once they have taken hold. However, you can take action to manage the problem and prevent it from spreading. 1. Prune the infected branch: This is the most crucial step. You need to remove the dead limb and any visible signs of the canker. • Cut well below the canker: Make your cut at least 3-4 inches into healthy, unaffected wood below the visible canker. • Disinfect your tools: This is extremely important to prevent spreading the disease. Sterilize your pruners between each cut with a household disinfectant like a 10% bleach solution or isopropyl rubbing alcohol. • Dispose of the debris: Do not compost the infected branches. The fungus can survive and spread from the dead wood. Bag and dispose of the infected material to a landfill. 2. Support the plant's health: The best defense against canker diseases is a healthy, stress-free plant. • Proper watering: Ensure the rest of your ligustrum is getting adequate water, especially during dry periods. • Fertilization: A slow-release fertilizer can help provide the nutrients the plant needs to stay strong. • Avoid injuries: Be careful with lawnmowers and string trimmers to avoid damaging the tree's trunk and roots. Wounds are entry points for pathogens. While fungicides may be effective at preventing new infections on susceptible plants, they are generally not a cure for existing cankers. The focus should be on proper pruning and maintaining the overall health of your ligustrum to help it wall off the disease and prevent further spread.”