carpinus caroliniana

Can anyone tell me what these are? I have them on nearly every american hornbeam I have, the trees seem to be growing strong and don't seem to be bothered by them but I am wondering if is some kind of scale insect or perhaps canker? If you know what it is can you explain what they are, of they...

Here is another Carpinus Caroliniana I collected in December 2020. It has a rather straight trunk, but has a massive (comparitively) opposing root flare. Will be a nice, straight, shohin+ haha. Wish I got pictures of the roots when I potted it. Upon Collection: Leafed out in February and here...

I collected this nice little hornbeam on December 29, 2020 from my woods, had pretty good surface roots and a really nice radial nebari. Washed the roots and placed it in an 11 inch pond basket. The cuts I made on the major roots are too far away from the trunk in hindsight, which will set me...

Dug up a tall hornbeam in November of last year, and air layering the top section that had a bit of movement. Plan to post progression photos over the years, have it in a very shady spot 'till it cools down. Think it'll make a nice shohin when I chop down to one of those lower branches, or...

Next up is Carpinus caroliniana, The American Hornbeam. I am new to all of this, so don't take this thread as advice (unless it isn't coming from me). It was propagated from seed last year. I bought it in a one-gallon pot with 80% pine bark. Leaves have already opened obviously, but I tried...