Cleaning and Stain Removal - Remove spray paint on trees? [post moved]

:alarm: Please forgive me if this is not the appropriate forum but I have a B I G problem and need advice quick. While helping my next door neighbor's small children spray paint a little project one of the kids spray painted his name on an old pecan tree in my yard. I need advice on how I can possibly safely remove this paint?
I adore these children and while I would cherish this "momento" emensely I'm afraid my landlady wouldn't feel the same.
Can anyone help?
Thanks in advance...
Phil

Sorry to hear about this problem. You have a couple of options.

First, the paint *will* weather away with time. You might consider screening or otherwise camoflaging around the tree to obscure the vandalism until it has time to fade away.

If it's too obvious to take that approach, you can try to gently remove a very thin layer of outer bark. I am not familiar with Pecan trees, but if they have thick bark, you should be able to abrade it with a wire brush sufficiently enough to break up and/or remove the paint. But it is important not to go so deeply as to expose the live tissue of the tree.

Another option is to paint over the mark with tree paint, as commonly used to seal pruning wounds. But that paint lasts for a very, very long time and will basically leave a permanent black mark on the tree.

You might consider calling your local University extension and see if they have someone that will come out and take a look at the problem for you - they can be very helpful in unusual situations like this.

Whatever you do, don't try any type of chemical product, even a "natural" or "non-toxic" one.

Hope this helps...good luck.

Thank you. Using a wire brush was about the only somewhat safe solution I could think of. I'll give that a try.

Take a knife or wire brush and lightly go over the painted area, removing as much stain as possible without cutting into the cambium. This may not get all of the paint, especially in creases. Put 2 or 3 inches of soil in a bucket and and add water and stir. Paint this over the affected area. Let mud dry on the bark. The, let the rain wash off mud or rinse with hose. You don't have to remove all the mud. The mud will stain the trunk a natural color and blend in the affected area with the rest of the trunk.

Thank you!!! A soft wire brush got almost all the paint off. Luckily, it was only on the outside of the bark and had not penetrated. I will certainly try your suggestion to put mud on the bark to restain it.