White spots on trunk and lower branch of Privet

Peter M

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I was given a Privet bonsai in April as birthday present. After shaky start have sorted watering regime and things were going well except! Lower Trunk has a white spots developing and lowest branch as well. the lower branch is losing leaves although some fresh grow. Unfortunately leaves are falling off faster than growing. rest of tree appears happpy. Any advice welcome
 

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cbroad

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Looks like they could be lenticels. They are normal on privets and many other trees. Lenticels are thought to be pores that aid in gas exchange with the atmosphere. Last time I looked, nobody was quite sure what they're for...
 

cbroad

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And any idea of the type of privet? Some are evergreen and some are deciduous. So depending on where you live and what species you have, yours dropping leaves could be normal.

Good luck!
 

0soyoung

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Looks like they could be lenticels. They are normal on privets and many other trees. Lenticels are thought to be pores that aid in gas exchange with the atmosphere. Last time I looked, nobody was quite sure what they're for...
I am unaware of any disagreement about this (for gas exchange). They are known to be the termini of rays, AFIK.
 

cbroad

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I am unaware of any disagreement about this (for gas exchange). They are known to be the termini of rays, AFIK.

When I last took a botany course in college, my professor (received his degree from Cornell) had said scientists weren't exactly sure of their complete function), but I admit it's been years since I took any botany/horticulture courses other than from the state of Virginia to get certified as a horticulturist.
 

Zach Smith

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Privet is susceptible to scale. Try to crush one with the back of a fingernail. If you feel it pop, it's scale. If it's scale, you should be able to eliminate them manually.
 
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