HI I'm totally new to the garden banter site but i'm in need of help.

I'm a novice when it comes to the garden just able to cope with and enjoy the general day to day jobs.

I was looking at my acer (palmatum i think!!) and i have noticed it has a covering of small spore like creatures on the trunk and branches .

I have trawled the internet and can't find any common pest that fits the description of these "invaders" .

I have recently moved the acer due to some renovation work at the front of the house but they were already on it before it was moved.

It has a really nice foliage still and seems finebut when you look at these little creatures they look horrilble and can't be doing my acer any good at all.

Many thanks in advance for any help.

(sorry i'm a novice on the pc also and my pic files are to large to upload)

Cheers jase.