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First, because the 4 year old lump does not appear to be hurting the tree, the clumps could be galls, caused by insects such as mites. These galls do little actual harm, but they are a nuisance in that they disfigure the tree. Galls are abnormal growths or tumors that vary in size from a wart to those which are several inches thick. The solution here would be to identify the mite problem (if there is one) and then treat the plant with an appropriate miticide to rid the plant of the mites.
If they are galls caused by a bacterial or fungal disease, it would be quite likely that the tree would be showing signs of stress after 4 years of infection. In any case, the solution would be to remove the galls by cutting the infected branches off from 4 to 6 inches below the galls. The pruning shears should be dipped into a 10% bleach solution after each cut is made to prevent spreading the disease to other parts of the plant.
Another cause could be a condition known as 'Oedema'. Swellings are caused by an over-development of cells, induced by an excess of water combined with incorrect lighting and temperature. The swellings appear as light brown, corky scabs or bumps on various parts of the plant, (in most cases the leaves). The problem is corrected by giving the plant better drainage ( a media which will not remain too wet), monitoring watering of the plant more closely and carefully, and moving the plant to better light if necessary.
Brown, soft scale appear as brown bumps or immobile lumps on the stem, branches and leaves of Ficus plants. A sticky substance known as 'honeydew' is often found on plant parts, or near the plant where scale insects are found. A black sooty mould will often develop and grow on this honeydew. These insects can be controlled by using a dormant oil spray which suffocates them, or by rubbing the scale rather roughly with a piece of cloth that has been dipped into a Malathion solution. 'ALWAYS FOLLOW DIRECTIONS AND SAFETY PRECAUTIONS LISTED ON THE PESTICIDE CONTAINER'S LABLES'.
If still in doubt as to what the brown, round clumps are, send a sample to an Analytical Laboratory in your region for positive identification of the growths. Once they are identified, proper treatment can be administered.
