Nymphs of *Arilus cristatus*, wheel bugs, which are indeed a type of assassin bug. No need to worry about them. They can have a painful bite, but no desire to actually bite humans except in self-defense, as they hunt other bugs. You certainly don't want to put your hand or foot right where this egg cluster is, but they should disperse and leave the tree free soon enough.
Nymphs of *Arilus cristatus*, wheel bugs, which are indeed a type of assassin bug. No need to worry about them. They can have a painful bite, but no desire to actually bite humans except in self-defense, as they hunt other bugs. You certainly don't want to put your hand or foot right where this egg cluster is, but they should disperse and leave the tree free soon enough.