Question
my magnolia's are 45 yrs. old. one tree is in good condition but the other one has dead limbs all throughout the branches. the limbs look like they have paper looking growth all over them. between the two trees, the trunk on the sick tree is a much whiter looking bark. can you explane my problem?

Answer

Dudley:
This papery growth may be Lichens.  Have a look at this article I wrote and let me know if this is what you are seeing.

http://www.uaex.edu/Other_Areas/publications/PDF/FSA-7554.pdf

(This is a pdf file so you will need Adobe Reader on your computer.  It is a free downloadable program you can get from the internet).

Regards
Steve