Lilac Tree problem

Over the last week or so our lilac tree has developed a sort of a fungus.
Anybody know what it is please, and how to get rid of it?
I should hate to lose the tree as it is very old.





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The only thing I can see looks just like lichen to me Jjordie - are you sure it's a fungus?

Like this....

http://images.google.com/images?q=lichen%20on%20trees&hl=en-GB&sourceid=gd&rls=GGLD,GGLD:2006-49,GGLD:en-GB&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&um=1&sa=N&tab=wi

 

We agree here dendy, I think it lichen as well.
It will do no harm jjordie.

 

Thanks Dendy and Pete - just looks like it is going mouldy :D
but ok if it won't harm

 

Blimey, Pete - that makes 3 times we've agreed on something! :eek: Must be a record!!

I'm pretty sure that's what it is, and not only won't it harm your lilace, Jjordie - it's a sign the pollution where you are is pretty low! :D

 

Found this tree recently,