Thanks for your question. After examining your photos closely, I am unable to determine any anomaly on the branches. This is just the new growth they put on to enlarge the branches. (In pine trees, this is called the "candle.") No more than half of the new growth should be removed when pruning, or the plant cannot form new terminal buds, which will repeat the growing process throughout the tree's life. Here is an Extension article on proper pruning methods:  http://www.extension.uidaho.edu/publishing/pdf/BUL/BUL0644.pdf

Good luck!