What ARE these things?

[Moonwalker]

I haven't got pics yet but I will try to get some tomorrow.
They are in the cedar trees. They are rubbery, bright orange balls of ...stuff. Looks kind of like one of those squishy ball toys with the rubber pieces sticking out all over.
Does anyone else know what I'm talking about? I have never seen anything like it before and in the 4 1/2 years here in TN, they have never been around. Now they are everywhere!

 

[Katy]

They're caused by apple cedar rust. When they're big and squishy looking they're getting ready to send out their spores. I think they'll keep apple trees from setting fruit.

 

[Moonwalker]

You are right, that's what they are! I looked it up and found this pic

I hope they don't affectt he apple trees becasue there sure are a LOT of them around.

 

[DrakeMaiden]

Can you cut them off and get rid of them, so that the spores don't spread?

 

[cjeanean]

READ THIS ARTICLE!!!! GET RID OF THOSE THINGS!!!!

http://www.sfrc.ufl.edu/4h/cedaappl.htm

(That is, if you have apple trees!)

 

[Vamp-A-Billy Princess]

They look like creepy alien pods! get rid of em!

 

[EllyMae]

GOOD LORD! I have those things too and at first thought that a baby bird had died in the cedar(there is a robins nest in same tree). THAT might explain why I havent seen any apples on the trees. Great info, thanks to all that have input.