funk on my trees and shrubs

I have something that looks like mushrooms growing on my azalias, and fruit trees. I have no idea what is is and have been experimenting with different things to remove it. It is only on the branches and trunks not the leaves. It has hung around for a couple of years and fear it will kill off my bushes and trees if I don't find out how to treat it. Thanks for your input folks!

Flowers, can you take a picture of the fungus. It would be much more accurate to ID from a photo of the actual growth.

that would be easier for sure but unfortunately I purchased a ditital camera from an individual and now can't find a driver for it.This is a pretty common fungas or whatever since I see it on lots of other peoples landscape just can't find in listed anywhere. Someone did mention cutting a piece of the limb and taking it to a place where they sell trees and shrubs. That may be my next option. Thanks for your input moon.

In the absence of pictures, this may be of use to you.

http://en.allexperts.com/q/Trees-739/fungus-trees.htm

hum-----lichen by george that just might be what it is. I know its not the toenail fungas I read on that link lol. Thanks moon you seem to know your stuff!!! It did help when I cut out last years branches that were covered.

You are very welcome. It takes advantage of stressed plants. Fertilize on a regular basis, water regularly and the living parts of the plant will start to grow and shed the lichen

thats exactly what is happening, man isn't it nice to be right

I was only right because I've been there, grin. When we moved into this house, every tree and shrub was in that condition. It took a while and trial and error to figure it out. I didn't know about DG back in 2001.GRIN

Well all I can say is they should put you on the payroll, you have a knack for figuring this stuff out with all the right links. I'm sure many folks are thankful to you.

Thanks for the kind words....just trying to pay it forward...grin

checks in the mail lol

moonhowl after I went out today and cut all the limbs covered in this lichen that were on my azalia bush I found this article, maybe you can use it to help some body from doing what I did. lol Personally I do think cutting out infected branches made the shrub a lot healther looking just hope it lives. http://www.savatree.com/are-lichen-harmful.html

Flowers, the plant wasn't infected, so to speak. The Lichen do not hurt the tree or shrub, they merely take advantage of a stressed plant. There was no need to remove the lichen covered branches other than for esthetics. The link I sent you has the same info about air-scrubbing and pollution. Most of the affected trees here had blight and had to be removed....it was disease that caused the removal, not the lichen.

I am so sorry if you misunderstood.

not your fault moon, I was happy you told me what it was. I didn't read the whole link. Search overload crosses my eyes and dots my T's lol. So just assumed it was bad and had to be removed. The shrub is big enough to spring back nicely but the best part is I know now not to cut tree branches and other shrubs because of it.Glad its all figured out now. Thanks for your much needed knowledge. Gone to weedeat now if I can get the blame thing started.

Have fun Chomping down those weeds....they are everywhere here with all the rain...