What is this growing on my sargeant crab?

[feign3]

Hi folks,

This fall I noticed something scaley growing on the branches of a sargeant crab that we have in the back yard. I'm worried because it looks alot like something we had growing on some red twig dogwoods that died as a result.

I am attaching a couple of pictures... if someone could help in identifying this I would greatly appreciate it. there were a ton of hits online about scales and scabs, etc but nothing that I could find that matched this close enough.

I am in NW Illinois and have had this tree in the ground for only 5 years.

Thanks.
Craig

 

[Grace Tree]

Lichens, I'd say. Here's some brief info. I'm sure someone will add more.
Lichens