Question
I have a small Bonsai tree....about 3 ft high....have had it since July...it has a fern-like appearence...leaves are sometimes reddish.

It appears to have a disease....looks like white cotton-like pieces are appearing on the leaves and the bark. Is this some kind of fungus?  Can you please diagnose and suggest treatment if possible?  It was an anniversary gift from our daughters and I am hoping to help it recover before they return from college in the spring....thank you in advance for your advice...Eileen

Answer
Without knowing for sure what kind of tree it is I am shooting in the dark, bonsai tree does not answere the question.  There are literally thousands of trees from thousands of different locations that can be grown as bonsai and each of them can have their peculiar problems.  It sounds to me like mealy bug.  Dip a swab in alcohol and remove the little white puffs where ever you can find them, then spray it with Safer's insecticidal soap.  That should take care of the problem.  You may have to repeat the process in a week or two.

Vance Wood.