QuestionHello, we moved into our 1 acre beautiful lot a year ago and the trees are beautiful. HOwever, this year I noticed a young maple with large white spots all over the trunk right up to the crown. They varying size,some 2 inches in diameter, some 6 inches.. not sure if the tree was injured or is dying? No evidence of damage to leaves and the tree has a full leaf line, no dead crown. What could this be? I live in Ottawa Canada.Any help would be appreciated.
AnswerWhat you describe sounds like lichens, which are symbiotic relationships between fungi and algae. They are perfectly harmless and do no damage to plants they grow on. They will be gray-green in color and will be closely appressed to the trunk. Look around on other trees and you will probably find them there as well. No action is required on your part. They are benign organisms just hanging out on the trunk of your tree. Let me know if this does not seem to be the case. Thanks.
