Growth on Bark of Pear Tree

[Jeff Markley (zone 7b)]

I planted a pear tree in my backyard about 6-7 years ago. For the past two years it has been providing fruit, but the fruit stays very small (about the size of a golf ball) and very hard. There is a strange growth covering pretty much all of the bark. I've done a ton of research and it doesn't look anything like fire blight or cankers. They're all dry and crumbly.

I had a "studying arborist" tell me that it's absolutely nothing to worry about and no treatment was needed.

Can anybody help to identify the problem and present a possible solution? (Zone 7b - Atlanta area)

 

[PJM]

Investigate the possibility that this is bacterial crown gall.

 

[Jed1124]

Investigate the possibility that this is bacterial crown gall.

That was my first thought....
Never seen it on pear though.

 

[Jed1124]

I've had luck using a mini torch on bacterial crown gall on euonymous. Have to go easy with the heat though. Killed the bacteria forming the galls and it hasn't spread.

 

[Jason Douglas]

Yeah, seems to quack like that duck but I've never seen this one