These roses have been on our property since we purchased in 2011. I am not a gardener and know little about roses I simply cut the bushes back once a year. But the new growth on one particular branch is very strange/deformed and I was wondering if I should cut it off. I'm including pictures of the deformed parts as well as one of the "normal" branches. Thanks to anyone who can share their thoughts!

I'd cut them right down and wait for the new growth. I do my moms rose bushes every year and pretty much cut them completely down with just the stumps remaining and they grow fuller.

Maybe a slow release fertilizer may help as well.

Welcome to NGA. Bad news, Chenille78. It mainly looks like Rose Rosette Disease (RRD)... and some black spot causing leaf loss. I would put the plants in a garbage bag, close the bag and throw them away. RRD is all over the Atlanta area and other sectors in Georgia. Down here too. I have lost several plants already. See more info below.

https://roserosette.org/

UGA's Extension Service recommends:
https://ugaurbanag.com/rose-ro...

"To minimize the chances of infection:
* Inspect new nursery stock for symptoms of infection.
* Remove all multiflora roses from the area and increase plant spacing so rose plants will not touch each other to reduce mite spread.
* If rose rosette is present, completely remove the infected plant by bagging and discarding or by burning.
* There is some discussion on online garden forums and from rose breeders that just pruning off symptomatic canes/stems will remove the virus. There is not at present any scientific evidence that this will work. Therefore, the prudent recommendation I can give is to completely remove the infected plant.
* A miticide can help reduce mite (and virus) spread; however, miticides labeled for spider mite control and those commonly packaged for homeowners are ineffective on eriophyid mites. If homeowners want to have their roses sprayed, then they should contact commercially licensed landscape professionals who can use (per communication with entomologist Will Hudson) Avid (or other abamectin generics), Floramite, Magus, and Forbid."

You can keep plants with no symptoms but monitor them to see if they develop witches brooms and the other symptoms. You do not have to be checking healthy looking plants daily; check once a month or so. RRD only affects roses. I am avoiding pruning as much as possible. The mites can already enter too easily into roses by biting with their mouths and via thorns that produce injuries while rubbing against other canes.

@Luis_pr Very disappointing, but glad to know about this disease before it spreads to the other roses in our yard. Symptoms of thick stem, more thorns, etc. are consistent with RRD. Thanks for sharing.

And welcome to the forum @Chenille78 !

Has anyone used any kind of weed killer or herbicide around your yard? If so it could be from that. However, if not then it is RRD and you need to dispose of the plant immediately.

@seilMI The only chemical sprayed was for mosquitos so I doubt that would affect them.

looks like RRD to me-get rid of them ASAP!