Question
I have been seeing a growth (tumor like) at the base of my roses for some years now. I can remove most of the tumor and there are small worms about 1/8" long inside.  The roses bloom well and seem healthy, but I suspect this growth isn't normal. What can I do?

Answer
What you are describing is called a bacteria rose gall. It will in time weaken the rose as the bacteria feed off the nutrients in the rose canes. Galls can be caused by just hitting a canes with a hoe or something that makes a wound and the bacteria get in. When the gall can no longer get nutrients from the rose canes it disperses the bacteria into the soil. The problem then is that the bacteria can infect another rose as it can be transported by shoes, winds etc It is impossible to remove the bacteria as they will live in the soil. But they also will in time weaken the plant and the leaves will be stunted and the flowers deformed. Most rosarians will tell you to remove the rose because the problem spreads to all the other roses. I know how hard it is to remove a well growing rose so I would watch for signs of the rose weakening and then I would dig it out. Don't plant another rose there as the bacterial will be in the soil. Sorry for the sad information.