Dying Shrubs in NY. HELP ME IDENTIFY WHAT IS KILLING MY BUSHES!

I would appreciate help with this. there is some sort of white on the bark of many of the bushes in my yard in NY. they are slowly dying.
anybody know what it is and how to stop it? fungus?
thanks for your expertise!

[@Samlol23_drrich]

I would really appreciate your help. This has been going on for years. Each year I amputate a little more if the shrub until it’s dead. Thanks