Funny bud-like growths on apple branches

[sbinder]

Hi there, pruning the apple trees today, noticed that on only one section of only one apple tree there are some sort of funny outgrowth on the branches/twigs I'm cutting off, sort of look like buds but a bit different, looks like it could be a disease to me but I'm not an expert in that. I looked through every possible page I could find with common diseases etc, can't find anything similar. See several pictures attached, taken of two different twigs.
I'd appreciate any help, just to find out if this is actually a disease and something that might possibly spread to the rest of the tree or even to the other trees around.

 

[Tetters]

Hello and welcome @sbinder

Those bumps are scale insects and will spread quickly. You need to burn all the prunings and deal with the scale straight away.
Pick off as much as you can by hand and then use rubbing alcohol or methylated spirits, or neem oil and wash up soap to clean the branches off. Unless you act quickly these horrible pests will cause mould to form and you could lose your trees.

 

[Tetters]

Scale Insects | Garden Pests & Diseases | Gardening Tips | Thompson & Morgan

Scale insects infect a wide range of plants, causing unsightly lumps & bumps, sucking sap and leaving sticky residues. Learn how to prevent infestation and deal with the issues here.

www.thompson-morgan.com

I found a link for you.

 

[sbinder]

Hi @Tetters and thanks a lot, I appreciate the quick and good reply. I looked that up, it does look very similar. However I tried it to be sure, tried removing those bumps, and they don't really come off, only if I basically pinch them off by force, and then they just break off and are green inside, so seems to be some sort of growth from the actual plant itself, I only can't figure out what exactly it is and why it's happening on those few branches.