Mold (?) on twigs

Question: We have twigs and small branches that have been blown down in the recent storms. It's a black, mild-like substance. Most of these twigs are from our linden tree. Any ideas?  Is it something we should be treating?

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied August 31, 2024, 4:15 PM EDT
response: (empty)

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied August 31, 2024, 4:15 PM EDT
response: (empty)

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied August 31, 2024, 4:16 PM EDT
response: Thanks for your question. It has been assigned to me. Your question is a puzzle to me. I don’t yet have a good answer for you. I’m reasonably certain it is not a mold. Mold would not show individually isolated black bodies. To proceed, I need some further information from you: 1). I assume that you have one or more linden trees in your yard. Presumably, that was why you thought that the branch in the picture you sent was from a linden. I need to be sure that this is a correct assumption. Could you please look at the actual lindens and see if anything exists on their branches like what you showed in the picture? If so, take a couple of pictures of these branches. What I need to determine is if there is anything on the actual linden branches that look like the structures in your picture but have a color other than black. 2). Feel a few linden leaves. Do they feel “sticky”? 3). Over the last month or so, have you seen any wasps/bees flying around your linden trees? 4). Going back to the picture you sent, are these black structures hard or soft to the touch? 5). Would you be able to cut one of the black structures into halves and send me a picture of their interiors? 6). In past years (prior to 2024) for any of your lindens, have you seen either ants or wasps on the trees?  I’ll look forward to hearing back to you so that we can get some closure on your question. Thanks for consulting our forum.

responder: The Question Asker Replied September 02, 2024, 4:04 PM EDT
response: On Sat, Aug 31, 2024 at 3:15 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied September 02, 2024, 5:01 PM EDT
response: We believe that you just attempted to send in a message regarding your gardening question.  Please be apprised that nothing was received by us.  If you did try to do so, please attempt sending your message again. Thank you.

responder: The Question Asker Replied September 02, 2024, 5:39 PM EDT
response: ---------- Forwarded message ---------From: Gary Hammer <<personal data hidden>>Date: Mon, Sep 2, 2024 at 2:56 PMSubject: Re: Mold (?) on twigs (#0153431)To: Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>>On Sat, Aug 31, 2024 at 3:15 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied September 02, 2024, 5:57 PM EDT
response: Again, nothing was received by us.

responder: The Question Asker Replied September 03, 2024, 7:42 AM EDT
response: Doesn’t make sense. I guess I’ll pass on getting help. On Mon, Sep 2, 2024 at 4:57 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied September 03, 2024, 8:26 AM EDT
response: Don't give up too soon.  We received the message you just sent.  Give it one more shot. Thanks

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied September 03, 2024, 8:27 AM EDT
response: Don't give up too soon.  We received your last message.  Give things one more shot. Thanks.