Hornbeam Problem

Hi everyone, I currently work within horticulture, so tend to get questions from friends and family. A relative sent me this attached picture of a Hornbeam that's part of a hedge. As you can see it's covered in what I'm assuming is some kind of white fungus. Would anyone please be able to tell me the name of this fungus (if that's what it is), and its potential for spreading, and best course of action regarding either cure or disposal. Thank you.

 

I think it's fungal, I've only seen that on dead, or almost dead, wood. Has the plant got growing buds and looking healthy otherwise.

 

You beat me to it @Angie Jones (nut) … I was going to say the same.

I would think the hornbeam were already dying/dead when the fungus arrived.

 

I think I'd get rid of any with even a hint of fungus and anything that doesn't look well in other ways

 

Thanks guys, I'd already said they should probably dig them up and burn them. The next question I'm mulling over is whether the fungus was only there because the plants were already dieing or is there an underlying problem, which will affect any replacement plants...

 

What are the conditions like? I know hornbeam can be happy with damper soil than beech, but even they can have too much of a good thing.
Or maybe the soil has dried out in the past .., and the hornbeam was really struggling?