Question
There is a very hard, whitish growth of fungus type substance at the bottom of my 4 yr. old bottle brush tree.  It seems to be "growing" around and through the base branches of the tree.  Do you have a suggestion as to treatment?

Answer
Hi Marge:
This hard fungus that you describe may be an indication of a disease that is going on that is associated with your shrub.  You can physically remove the hard body, but this will not erradicate the disease, only the fruiting body.. All you can do is keep your plant fertilied and wateered well to help it sustain itself.

Steve