Yes, but a picture of the whole tree would help.

Thanks!

Sorry about the focus on that one...it looks like nice healthy scrunched newly unfurled baby leaves.

Hard to say, but I'd probably remove it, since your tree is in the ground and you'd want it to develop an actual trunk -- eventually (assuming).

Thanks Dave. I agree it's not a great place for new growth, but on the other hand, the poor thing only has about 20 other leaves. 😬

I'd remove it as well. You should eventually see growth higher up.