"Rupert (W.Yorkshire)" wrote after...

"lowlife" wrote via GB instead of direct
hi i really need to find out what this shrub or tree is, as it has mould
on it that probably wants treating. i'll describe it and link 3 photo's
from photobucket (hope that's allowed).

firstly i live in surrey. the soil is clay but well mixed now. the
shrub is about 5 ft high, round in form with grey / brown smooth bark.
the buds are very small and staggered as opposed to pairs, and there
are no leaves on it at this time. on the end of each branch there is a
group of brown open seed pods. the fungi is clustered on the lower
branches and looks like white/pale cyan granules.

i've taken a pic of the tree, the pods and the fungus or whatever it
is

http://tinyurl.com/29ej9r

http://tinyurl.com/22c58j

http://tinyurl.com/2ghxb2

i hope they work. failing that, does anyone know of an online plant
finder?
thanks


The tree could be Magnolia and I think the stuff on it is probably lichen
(as other posters have already said).

Yes, I too have it on some of my shrubs. You should consider yourself very
lucky that you have lichens in your garden, they only grow in good quality
air and have only made a slow comeback since the Clean Air Act forced people
to use other forms of heating besides coal/wood in London. Cherish it, it's
a fascinating story in itself.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lichens


--
Regards
Bob H
17mls W. of London.UK