Ive a problem with my magnolia and maple tree its got spots spreading from soil up what is this is it disease?

spots very in size its almost like mold but a slight white almost grey but is not a mushroom fungus looking material. any size from size of a match head to size of a penny can i get rid of this or is the tree going to die ? the tree is new planted last year end of summer and it didnt have this then . leaves havent even sprouted yet its struggleing compared to other trees around .both trees are at different houses and have nothing to do with the other .

Ive a problem with my magnolia and maple tree its got spots spreading from soil up what is this is it disease?
It sounds like lichens. Lichens are a symbiotic algae/fungal growth that occurs on the bark of trees. They are completely harmless to trees. In fact, the presence of lichens is a good indicator of air quality. Below are a couple of links. The first is an article by Jim Shuster of the University of Illinois Extension Service on lichens. The second link is a photo I took of a flower bed in spring, but it includes the trunk of a Serviceberry tree (on the right) that has lichens. Does this look anything like your spots?





http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/mclean/new...


http://www.awelllitgarden.com/lichens.ht...





P.S. Newly planted trees do struggle because of the damage done to their root system during transplanting. They don't grow much above ground the first couple of years after they are planted. Instead, they focus their energy into new root development. You should expect that a newly transplanted tree will show little above ground growth for 1 yr. for every inch of diameter of their trunk size.
Reply:This could be as simple as extra water getting on the leaves (extra wet season)and causing powdery mildew (simple to spray for) or very serious. Take a sample to a nursery in your area, as it is occurring at two different locations it may be a common problem in your area this year and they may know how to treat it or it may not need treatment this year.





You really need to show it to someone who can give you the correct advice as it may spread eventually to the nearby trees. Good luck it may look bad but just be a harmless fungus and you will have nothing to worry about.





Do not spread lime about, it changes the PH of the soil and could be detrimental or even kill the trees if it changes the soil dramatically to the wrong PH for the trees involved.
Reply:Havent got a clue about what your asking...





LOVE the avatar photo though.





Why did you change the picture on me?
Reply:Go to your garden center and buy a 5 lb bag of dolmatic lime and for a tree over 10 yrs old use about the whole bag of lime spreading it under the branch line and not just around the trunk.





Those spots are mineral deposits and the lime will neturalize the soil and it may take a entire season but next yr no spots and plus the lawn likes lime too.
Reply:Got a good nursery near by? Scoop up some of the earth with the "stuff" on it and take down there. Show it to own of the arbourists(tree hugger) and they should be able to help you solve your problem and provide you with a solution. Good luck!





Nice bum


Where you from





J/ks
Reply:ups!!!! do not know, sorry!!!!