Dwarf Japanese maple has yellow mold on branches

Question

I have a newly planted dwarf Japanese maple and it has yellow stuff on the bark that looks like a fungus or a mold. How do I treat this?

Answer 1

Without a photo, it is hard to say, but I will give this my best shot.

It probably is yellow lichen - in which case it is harmless. Here is an example of what yellow lichen looks like:
http://gardenworldimages.co.uk/ImageThumbs/LLT1234/1/LLT1234_YELLOW_LICHEN_ON_TREE_BARK_XANTHORIA_CALCICOLA.jpg

Here is an article on tree lichen for more information: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/fungus-lichen/treatment-tree-lichen.htm

If it's not lichen, then it's going to be either a fungus or a mold but it would be difficult to propose a treatment without a photo for identification.