Insect and Spider Identification: Any idea what this is on my ash tree?, 1 by FrillyLily

FrillyLily wrote:
Green Ash planted it about 6 yrs ago. Mulched, and I water it with cow manure tea. Finally started growing this year and really looking like something and then I noticed this. Sort of a sap stuff at the 'joints' of the tree. Then I noticed it along the trunk also. Almost seems to have a very fine sawdust in those areas too, maybe the wound is causing the sap? I haven't noticed any bugs except ants, which I am sure are attracted to the sap but didn't do the damage. I posted it in the insect ID cause I'm just sure this is insect damage of some kind?