Originally posted by goatsNdonkey It looks like small branches are growing out of some of the nodes on those raised bulges that wrap around the trunks. Many trees don't produce new branches from mature trunks or boughs, but some do. The ones that do, probably do much less of this when they are surrounded by other trees, because those new little branches couldn't put many (or any) leaves in the sun. If the tree were in the open, or along a forest edge, new little branches like that could put some leaves in the sun. Being able to do that could be very beneficial to the tree. Do you know what species of tree it is? Do you recall seeing the shape of the leaves in the past.
Haven't been online for a while, but on closer inspection the tree is a mulberry, and I've noticed that other mulberries exhibit similar features. To me, the ridges appear to be for the purpose of increasing rigidity of the trunk. There is no indication of formation of adventitious buds emanating from them, nor does it appear to be encapsulation due to sapsucker damage. It's just an odd pattern I've not seen on other types of trees.