Odd growths noticed today on the trunk of my fig tree.  Any thoughts?
 

Not growths. It's frass from an insect boring into your tree.

Yes, frass indeed.   Your tree needs your help now! !!!

I had it in the ceiling in my shop. Left saw dust every where. I use myathyon. You need to fix it now. I sure you can use it on fig trees. I use it on my veggies. figs. Around the outside of my house for pest control. I live in the louisiana swamp. Good luck.

Yep, your frass is grass! You may need to cut that one to  the quick, burn the whole thing and what for growth from the roots.

Shot Hole Borer (Ambrosia Beetle)

http://jenny.tfrec.wsu.edu/opm/displaySpecies.php?pn=530

Insecticide will not help now. Cut it off to save the stump if it's not too far gone already. Sorry for the bad news but you will know what to look for going forward.

Never seen insect poop like that before in my area. 

<edit>Looks like the Ambrosia beetle is the pest.  Here is a link to Ambrosia beetles in Maryland U.;

http://extension.umd.edu/ipm/landscape-management-nursery-production/ambrosia-beetles-maryland

The beetle seems to go for hardwood like honeylocust, birch, magnolia. 
I am surprised that it would attack a softwood tree like a fig?

a little more info
http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/ent/notes/O&T/trees/note111/note111.html

 

Hello Duke,
Is this tree an imported recently? 
If you recall the source you should also notify them of the problem, this looks like a serious infestation problem that easily may get out of hands.
Be careful and good luck.
Frank.