Curious pattern on palmatum's bark

[LeoMame]

Hello bonsai people, I wondered what this curious pattern on my maple's bark could be. There are patches, here and there, and they're most visible when the trunk is wet.
Any ideas? Thanks!

 

[Crazy Diamond]

Some kind of Lichen I think

 

[rockm]

lichen most likely. Not an issue... Could also be maturing bark, which also isn't an issue. I would, however, press on those areas with your finger. If they're softer than surrounding trunk, might be something going on behind those spots, like rot...

 

[Mapleminx]

lichen most likely. Not an issue... Could also be maturing bark, which also isn't an issue. I would, however, press on those areas with your finger. If they're softer than surrounding trunk, might be something going on behind those spots, like rot...

Totally unrelated to this post but can I just say…….I love your dog in your avatar.

 

[sorce]

There was a recent thread on the same thing.

It doesn't look normal or safe to me.

I'd probably burn it, would probably find out I shouldn't have later, but fire is fun enough.

Sorce

 

[Crazy Diamond]

There was a recent thread on the same thing.

It doesn't look normal or safe to me.

I'd probably burn it, would probably find out I shouldn't have later, but fire is fun enough.

Sorce

 

[penumbra]

Dollars to donuts its lichen.

 

[TN_Jim]

Hello bonsai people, I wondered what this curious pattern on my maple's bark could be. There are patches, here and there, and they're most visible when the trunk is wet.
Any ideas? Thanks!
View attachment 414610View attachment 414611View attachment 414612

Do all the branches and buds appear healthy -no black, irregular coloring, flexible etc.?

 

[LeoMame]

Do all the branches and buds appear healthy -no black, irregular coloring, flexible etc.?

Yes, everything looks ok for a maple this age and in this stage of development.

i will try to brush those patches off with a soft brush and either alcool or vinegar, let's see what's what.

thank you everybody for your help

 

[Kokosunica]

I have something similar in a garden bloodgood. Did you try cleaning with the brush?

 

[LeoMame]

I have something similar in a garden bloodgood. Did you try cleaning with the brush?

Yeah, so I tried with a soft toothbrush and alcohol but didn't get any results. So I used a plastic brush, and with a bit of effort you can take it away. Note that if you chip it with your nails it goes away. I didn't use anything harsher than the plastic brush as the bark is thin and delicate. Maybe I can try with the green part of a sponge, which I usually use together with camellia oil to brush the bark of my satsukis.

I just scratched it a bit tho, this will be my afternoon activity. Perhaps, if it's a lichen, it will die because of the alcohol i used to rub it off, so I'll see in a few hours.

I realised I have it on another maple, a trident, so I will do the same on it.

 

[Mapleminx]

I have something similar in a garden bloodgood. Did you try cleaning with the brush?

That puppydawg in your avatar

 

[Kokosunica]

That puppydawg in your avatar

Yeah, so I tried with a soft toothbrush and alcohol but didn't get any results. So I used a plastic brush, and with a bit of effort you can take it away. Note that if you chip it with your nails it goes away. I didn't use anything harsher than the plastic brush as the bark is thin and delicate. Maybe I can try with the green part of a sponge, which I usually use together with camellia oil to brush the bark of my satsukis.

I just scratched it a bit tho, this will be my afternoon activity. Perhaps, if it's a lichen, it will die because of the alcohol i used to rub it off, so I'll see in a few hours.

I realised I have it on another maple, a trident, so I will do the same on it.

 

[Kokosunica]

That puppydawg in your avatar

 

[penumbra]

I like the look of lichen. I have a few tree that have it on trunks and large branches.

 

[Crazy Diamond]

Yeah, so I tried with a soft toothbrush and alcohol but didn't get any results. So I used a plastic brush, and with a bit of effort you can take it away. Note that if you chip it with your nails it goes away. I didn't use anything harsher than the plastic brush as the bark is thin and delicate. Maybe I can try with the green part of a sponge, which I usually use together with camellia oil to brush the bark of my satsukis.

I just scratched it a bit tho, this will be my afternoon activity. Perhaps, if it's a lichen, it will die because of the alcohol i used to rub it off, so I'll see in a few hours.

I realised I have it on another maple, a trident, so I will do the same on it.

why you want to take it off? it gives a natural appeareance to the trunk

 

[Dav4]

I vote lichen, as well. Lichen usually grows well in areas with very good air quality... burning your tree will actually decrease your air quality so don't do it!

 

[Bonsai Nut]

Lichen can sometimes grow on the outside (dead) layer of bark. They only grow on the outside, and take no water or nutrients from the tree. They are not harming the tree in any way. I actually try to get lichen to grow... but for strictly aesthetic reasons. It is usually the sign of a healthy environment...

FWIW lichen can grow on inorganic surfaces as well (like stone).