Help identifying Fungus or Lichen on tree

[jefword]

Hi, just wondered if any gardening experts could help me identify this fungus/lichen/mould? and more importantly give advice on how to treat it and if it is harmful to the tree which I believe is a Japanese Maple.

I'm afraid my gardening expertise is limited to pushing the lawnmower around so layman's terms please.

If it's of any help, the white part of the fungus/mould is a bit stringy like soggy cotton wool or cobwebs if you touch it and the brown part is about 10mm diameter.

Thanks in advance for any help & I hope the pictures get imported correctly as this is my first attempt at it.

[Simpo Two]

Scale insect

Just brush them off physically, it's quick and costs nothing.

[jefword]

Hi, Thanks Simpo Two. Using the info you supplied I've now found out that it is a variety of scale insect called Pulvinaria regalis or Horse Chestnut scale.
Quite a lot to brush off so I've given a few of them a quick blast with the pressure washer as an experiment.
Thanks again, Jeff.

[Simpo Two]

Excellent! Scale is surprisingly common and before you know it, they're all over a plant/tree. You get gereen ones on leaves for example, hard to spot unless you're looking for them. They suck the sap and have a tough coating that makes them impervious to many insecticides. If the plant is big it will tough it out, but if small, maybe not. At least they're easy to splat...

[anonymous-user]

jefword said:

I've given a few of them a quick blast with the pressure washer as an experiment.
Thanks again, Jeff.

I like your style,think I may try that on my bug invested roses.