Growth on branch - fascinated & disgusted

Quick...anybody know what this is on the stick in this photo? The huge stick (branch?) that blew off a tree and onto my car a few nights ago. I suppose I could Google it to satisfy my curiosity, but really what would I search? "Gross, bulbous brown row of growth thingies on branch?" "Brown shiny blisters on stick?" "Eeeeeew! Get it off my car?"

My inner child wanted to write the title for this post: "Can a stick give my car cooties?" but I elected to use something slightly different. Mildly more mature. (Not so mature, you'll notice, that it didn't get a bit of play on my blog. Heh. Inner child is alive and well, babies.)

But I am curious. As well as fascinated and utterly grossed out.

What is this stuff? And should I be alarmed that I used my bare hands to touch the infected stick as I removed it from my car?

Comments

[Nicholas Head]

Hi Melody, the picture is pretty small, but I think it might be insect eggs put up on the branch to winter over. The odds of it hurting your hands are pretty small. Just washing them should take care of things. Best, Nick

[Melody]

Hi Nick!

You know what? That never occurred to me! I couldn't wrap my brain around all the possible things that were flying through my imagination, but yours sounds most reasonable. You can be sure I washed my hands.

Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to respond!

Be well...