Fungus? Termites? Red ants? other insects?

 

thanks for your help.

anyone?

My guess is ants or termites laying a "sand trail". It looks too thick to be fungus. Not sure though. It looks like sand on one of the green leaves there so could be right. If you clear away wood/leaf clutter at the bottom it might discourage them.

termite mud tubes/tunnels http://www.termites.com/information/facts/termite-tunnel/

scrape them off and don't let them progress. apply soil drench at the base of the tree and lower trunk "banding" (preventive barrier) three times a year with a pyrethroid insecticide like permethrin or cypermethrin. (Chaindrite products) Low toxicity for mammals and minimal environmental exposure with a spot treatment like this.