Snake-bark Maple

One of the trees in the Communal garden is a Snake-bark Maple. The tree is not displaying its attractive stripes very well and I was wondering whether it might help to brush off some of the algae/lichen with a bristle brush?
I would appreciate some knowledgable advice before I proceed,
thank you,
Jenny

 

Hi Jens
Dont see why not plus get all that bird poo off

it could also do with the grass getting removed from its base like the cherry tree next door

Spruce

 

That is NOT bird poo - it's Flavoparmelia caperata (Parmelia caperata lichen Spruce,
Jenny

 

looks like poo what ever it is maybe you shouldn't scrub that then , at least we all know who to ask about litchen you could start your own thread

"Name that Litchen " its got a good ring to it

 

Dunno if relevant, but I scrub the trunks of my Silver Birch ... they come up a treat I just use a bucket of water and a scrubbing brush, although I do wonder if Power Washing would do (and not do any damage) was it would be a more arm-chair approach that I think I would enjoy more