Q: I have two willow trees and both are beginning to show some kind of red growth on the trunk of the trees. They look almost like small shoots coming out.

A: You are seeing adventitious roots, sometimes referred to as “water roots”. They form on willows as a result of high humidity or rainfall. They will naturally dry and die in a few weeks. You can break them off with your fingers without harm to the tree.

Other plants also form roots in unexpected places. Muscadine grapes commonly extend “air roots” from their older horizontal limbs, usually in response to stress.