"Gray" (?) spots on bark

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