Any chance of a photo ?

Sorry its too dark now but i would say it looks like coral growing on barrier reef, with the colour of ash, cheers for your quick reply much appreciated

I am sorry to say it sounds like Honey Fungus. But need a Photo to be sure.

To me, its sounds like a lichen which is an indicator of good, clean air and nothing to worry about. I think that a picture would be a great help.

Thanks everyone for tips will try to photograph it tomoro n download in on here I do think it is killing the hedge seems to have gone very thin in the affected areas. Appreciation all x

Ah ..I see your thinking Bulbaholic..."like coral growing on barrier reef" Could well be Lichen. Best to be optimistic eh ?

It could be scale infestation - photo will confirm

Have taken photos tonight, managed to just about do it before it went dark(hate winter). Unfortunately can't find lead to get em on here, sorry folks will get there eventually. I am hoping its bulbaholics idea even though I have already hacked most of it out panicking about infestation. It really does look like the Lichen growing on the roof, same colour some bits are mustard, really has got me thinking its that!. That would explain some of the healthy new growth at the top( its thin but no crusty bits). Fingers crossed and thank you everyone so much x

If is like the stuff on your roof it is Lichen not Fungus, well thought Bulbaholic... stop pruning it and stop worrying.

Pity that you hadn't asked before you started pruning, Lc, but then, we all do that. I hope that I am right and that it is lichen.

www.growsonyou.com/littleclare
If you click on this you should see it although i think it may have become my profile now will alter it later.Thanks everyone and hope your right Bulbaholic x

Had a look at the pictures. Looks like woolly aphid to me - scrub off what you can with a bucket of slightly soapy water. Spray with permethrin or pyrethroid containing sprays.

No Bamboo, Leave it alone Littleclare I have zoomed right in on it and it is lots of lovely Lichen. If you want to cut anything out, have a go at the Ivy. Your hedge is OK.

Well done Bulbaholic.

Don't know, Bamboo. I still go with lichen lichen to me ;-). Wish we could just click on these pics to enlarge them. If they are soft and come away easily in your fingers Lclare then they might be woolly aphids, if firmer/harder and are 'glued' to the stems then I think lichen.

Posted at the same time. Pimpernel. How did you zoom?

Bulbaholic press down and hold Ctrl bottom left corner then tap the + five times Near Backspace

to return Hold Ctrl and tap the_ Five times.

Looks like your a genius Bulbaholic and Im a happy gardener, I do live in the countryside so the air should be good. I think wooly aphids are the things I wash off my Laburnum with soap its like mouldy cotton wool, this is crusty. Do I leave my little Lichen friends alone even tho they make the hedge look a bit dodgy, are they of any benefit to birds or enviroment ?.

Little Clare Lichen is wonderful try this link

http://www.britishlichens.co.uk/

Anyone who calls me a genious, Clare, is a hero of mine ;-)
even though you are mistaken. I live in an area where lichen is common so it is the first thing that I thought of.

Agree - if its crusty and stuck hard, more likely lichen. I've never seen this colour lichen on plants before, interesting - the ones I see are usually yellowish or greenish.