Acer showing white patch on stem, what is it?

A young Acer plant was planted last year but I noticed in spring there is a white patch on the stem, not sure what it is or if I need to do anything, I've uploaded a picture so can anyone advise?

 

Hi it could be a canker fungus or there are some various diseases affecting maple trees that can cause discolorations on the tree bark
Found this site it might be useful
Maple Tree Diseases On The Bark - Diseases Of Maple …
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/.../maple/maple-tree-bar

 

A close up of the white patch would help I'm thinking.
It might be my eyes but it appears that the camera has focused on the background and the stem is blurred.

 

Hi, sorry it wasn't the greatest of pictures but I think it shows the issue well enough, thanks for your help so far, reading further at the canker fungus, it states to check the stems early spring for infections and if so cut the stem 4-6 inches below the infection.

Unless there are any further suggestions I think I will be looking to do this at some stage.

 

I agree with Pete the picture is out of focus and canker cannot be diagnosed from it. The picture doesn't show the issue well enough for us here, please note that you have seen it with your own eyes which gives you an advantage.

Cutting the stem on such a young tree will unbalance it's growth and taking that step at the moment, without confirmation of canker, is your choice.

 

Hi there, sorry the picture seems to be a sticking point so I have uploaded a better picture, hopefully this helps.

 

Thank you. From what I can make out it looks as if the bark has been stripped which would suggest animal damage. Is the stem completely smooth? Or does it give the appearance of something fungal?

 

I have had loss of bark over winter on Acers, snails and slugs quite often.. Either way I would cut back to the first growing bud. Check the stem you cut off for any browning of the wood or bark coming away from the wood; if you find either I would cut the stem off as close to the main stem as possible.

 

Hi there, it is smooth with no sign of fungi or residue.

 

I would say it's almost certainly animal or other pests that Nigel suggested, that have stripped the bark.

Edit: Deer have stripped the bark from two young Ilex (Holly) I have. One will have to be dug out as it won't recover.

 

Looking at the 2nd photo you posted my acer had a similar white patch on its bark but i had to repot it into a bigger pot as it was stressed but yours is in the ground so it looks like snail. Maybe a squirral or something has stripped the bark
if there is not too much damage to the bark the tree will recover in time otherwise you might have to replace it