need help / advice - Chinese elm

[Ware-bonsai]

Hi guys,
Just a little worried about my elm, and just want to get on top of a problem if there is one. And could really use some help / advice.

At the base of the trunk some of the bark has turned white and feels quite chalky to touch.
It is less than the size of a 5 cent piece and it doesn't seem to be spreading (been monitoring it for 2-3 weeks now).
I scratched the service back and it was green underneath and that has started to healed up. (you can see the mark in the middle of the whitened area on the photo below)

I am really keen to know if anyone has had this happen and know what it is and how to treat it

Below is the photo of the effected area:

note the difference in the aged bark and the white area.

Below is a full shot of the tree showing its health, apart from the white bark its really healthy and going strong


Any help would be great guys as i'm really attached with this tree and have had it growing for 5+ years (not that old i know but one of my oldest )

[Bretts]

I would not worry Ware. The bark has been damaged in some way and it could be for any number of reasons. I have an elm with similar damage a few years ago. I saw what caused it and not sure if it is the same thing here but it was very weird but harmless as the Nurseryman I bought the tree off explained. A jelly substance that comes out of the roots when they are cut was almost entirely surrounding the base of the trunk. Not sure how it was there but it happens when trees are taken from the field and left in a water bucket together before potting up.
I scrubbed it off and it gave me no further trouble. The scar is some where between fully healed and a feature of the aging bark.

If it is not spreading but healing I reckon all is well now.

[shibui]

This may just be the old bark naturally peeling off. The smooth barked chinese elms do this. It is one of the great attractions - mottled, leopardskin bark in light grey, darker grey and browns. I'd say nothing to worry about. Enjoy your elm

[Tony Bebb]

Hey Ware

If it is chalky to touch and your finger has a bit on it when you touch it, it may be a salts build up from watering. It often happens on trees that are watered a little too frequently and do not dry out completely between watering. If it is that it is not too much to worry about in that small a quantity, and would just need a minor adjustment in watering technique.

Best Regards

Tony