[norson]

I picked up two sticks off the ground yesterday in the same general area so they may both be from the same tree, a sugar maple. They both have these spots - I'm color blind, so I'm guessing they are gray.

Or grey.

Good grief, I can't speil eather.



Can anyone here identify what this is and and suggestions other than chipping away with my hand chisels.

Thanx

-neb

 

[Gloops]

I picked up two sticks off the ground yesterday in the same general area so they may both be from the same tree, a sugar maple. They both have these spots - I'm color blind, so I'm guessing they are gray.

Or grey.

Good grief, I can't speil eather.



Can anyone here identify what this is and and suggestions other than chipping away with my hand chisels.

Thanx

-neb

Looks like a form of Lichen. try rubbing it with a scotch pad but wear a dust mask.

 

[cobalt]

got to agree with that

 

[Sean]

Yes i see it often on old maple around the area and have to agree with above comments. It will rub off with fingers and sand from there.

Good article here...

http://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/fungus-lichen/treatment-tree-lichen.htm

 

[MJC4]

Lichen, usually gray or faded green in color.

 

[Rodney]

Yup. Lichen. If you go over it very lightly with steel wool just enough to knock the loose stuff off and seal the bark with shellac it adds a lot of interest to the bark. My hazel shanked cane has a bunch on it.

Rodney

 

[norson]

The majority of the bark on those two sticks I brought home Friday was very loose - some of it loose enough to pry off with my fingers. But I've been working at it bit-by-bit with my 1/4" wood chisel and am now down to the final foot or so, working toward the end, but had set it aside. It had never occurred to me to just remove that lichen - and leave the bark in place, if it's firmly attached to the shank, of course.

And that might work for the lower portion, so I'll need to give this more serious thought (and work also) - here's a pic of where this project stands thus far. BTW, I am anticipating the upper portion will be SPECKTACKYOULURR - for it has some beautiful grains. Further, after checking pics of some previous sticks from that same area it may be American Elm, rather than Sugar Maple.

-neb