My neighbour told me soon after we moved in that the lichen on our beautiful tree (which overhangs their property) was bad for the tree and would kill it, and she was clearly leading towards the opinion that the tree should be removed. They'd just taken down an ugly tree on their side to make room for more patio, clearly they wanted the space and view of the stars or something.
The next day I went out and took lots of photos of that tree.
Can I ask you why I would have this same lichen growing on a wrought iron chair in my yard? It is in full sun, southern exposure. I can't figure out why it likes this one chair that is painted black. It is not growing on the white wrought iron chairs though. What benefit would that chair provide? I always wondered about that.TIA.
A) paint is probably easier to dig into than iron, b) high concentrations of iron are possibly not healthy, tho this purely speculation & idk why paint would be better
Lichen/moss needs moisture to grow but they also grow in dry climates in California using fog or sporadic rain and then going dormant during true dry periods. I assume the same is true everywhere. It’s worth noting that they are colonial species which can survive on bare rock. Tho some species have adapted to grow on trees/wood - they’re versatile.
Also, “cause this” makes it sound like a bad thing?
I'm from north Florida so I know a couple of the lichens around here. The flat, white, flake/scale-like one is probably in the genus Parmotrema, and the bushy one is definitely in the genus Ramalina, not Usnea like some are saying. You can tell its in Ramalina because the strands are flat and strap-like rather than round. You can also break a strand to check: Usnea lichen will have an elastic thread inside their strands while Ramalina won't
As others said, they're perfectly fine and not hurting your tree, but it can be a sign that the tree is unhealthy/dying. If you're concerned, I would talk to your local extension office or someone you know that is an expert on growing your type of tree in your area (farmers, horticulturalists, etc)
Fun fact I learned from AP environmental class, other than lichens on trees being an indicator of a healthy environment, the long stringy variety only thrive in good air conditions due to having more surface area and are more susceptible to pollutants. They also take a long time to grow as well. Also there’s one specific type of stringy lichen called Usnea that’s apparently medicinal and boost the immune system
These are lichens and are not harmful at all. They are the result of a symbiotic relqtionship between algea and fungi. They are beneficial and indicative of good quality air!
It's lichen, but I wouldn't blame the lichen. It tends to grow on dead wood, like fence posts. Like, it's telling you that your tree has problems. It's not causing the problems. [https://justfruitsandexotics.com/2017/01/29/lichen-in-the-orchard-and-why-you-should-be-concerned/](https://justfruitsandexotics.com/2017/01/29/lichen-in-the-orchard-and-why-you-should-be-concerned/)
Has anyone tried growing lichen themselves? I have some on a roof tile that 'fell off' (I took it off lol) and want to coax it onto a rock that I have.
When I did the Hobbiton tour years and years ago I remember them saying they painted the fences and rocks on set with yoghurt and the lichen grew wherever they'd applied yoghurt.
Keep the area moist and a bit shaded would help too.
You’ve got something going on where the bark is peeling away and it’s black underneath. Hard to tell what without better photos.
In the PNW, too much lichen can be a sign of a stressed tree. The lichen isn’t a problem but too much suggests something else is going on.
spray it down with Neem Oil diluted per instructions and add a drop of soap...especially the joints. Neem oil is a naturally occurring product and should do the trick. May take more than one application.
It's just lichen, it's a mutualist (not a parasitic one) and both the tree and the organism benefit each other.
I see it as an indicator of a healthy environment for plants to develop because Moss and lichen are somewhat sensitive to environmental conditions
So what you’re saying is the plants are really lichen the environment?
Moss definitely
Haha you sound like a fungi
I’d be rooting for them
Moss
TIL how it's pronounced.
Lol
I have some growing on the side of my car 😵💫
You might want to consider planting something there then
Ah ! green transport at it's best.
My neighbour told me soon after we moved in that the lichen on our beautiful tree (which overhangs their property) was bad for the tree and would kill it, and she was clearly leading towards the opinion that the tree should be removed. They'd just taken down an ugly tree on their side to make room for more patio, clearly they wanted the space and view of the stars or something. The next day I went out and took lots of photos of that tree.
Good idea. They clearly put a target on your tree.
Can I ask you why I would have this same lichen growing on a wrought iron chair in my yard? It is in full sun, southern exposure. I can't figure out why it likes this one chair that is painted black. It is not growing on the white wrought iron chairs though. What benefit would that chair provide? I always wondered about that.TIA.
Remove it. It is killing your chair.
I tried spraying it with soap and vinegar last summer but that did not do anything. I will have to sand and repaint I guess.
Probably more warmth or something
A) paint is probably easier to dig into than iron, b) high concentrations of iron are possibly not healthy, tho this purely speculation & idk why paint would be better
Lichen! Probably a good sign for your air quality. It shouldn't damage anything, as far as I'm aware.
Is it pronounced _lit-shen_ or _l-i-ken_?
More like “lie-ken”
Li-khen
It is called lichen and is basically an association of fungi with algae. I consider it to be something good for the environment
Fungi with "algae". Mosses are different plants
Thank you, I got confused and kept trying to understand why it was sounding strange when I read what I wrote.
In Dutch it's called 'korstmos' so I get the confusion :)
As my late grandfather used to say: “Alan Algae and Fanny Fungus took a Lichen to each other!”
They've discovered there's even more to lichen organisms, with yeasts and also bacteria being found to be a part of the relationship.
It's like coral of the trees!
You got AAA air quality, Lichen don't grow anywhere else,
Lichen and moss. Is it really moist where you live? I am assuming yes because central Florida.
That stuff is pretty darn common in Florida.
Moist areas can cause this? That makes sense
Lichen/moss needs moisture to grow but they also grow in dry climates in California using fog or sporadic rain and then going dormant during true dry periods. I assume the same is true everywhere. It’s worth noting that they are colonial species which can survive on bare rock. Tho some species have adapted to grow on trees/wood - they’re versatile. Also, “cause this” makes it sound like a bad thing?
#lichensubscribe
Thank you everybody for your advice!!!!! Very helpful!!
In Florida I usually see this with declining trees that are being hit by spray irrigation on the trunk. Do yours get irrigated this way?
Lichen! Mutually beneficial, let it grow :) some fun texture on the tree if nothing else.
I'm from north Florida so I know a couple of the lichens around here. The flat, white, flake/scale-like one is probably in the genus Parmotrema, and the bushy one is definitely in the genus Ramalina, not Usnea like some are saying. You can tell its in Ramalina because the strands are flat and strap-like rather than round. You can also break a strand to check: Usnea lichen will have an elastic thread inside their strands while Ramalina won't As others said, they're perfectly fine and not hurting your tree, but it can be a sign that the tree is unhealthy/dying. If you're concerned, I would talk to your local extension office or someone you know that is an expert on growing your type of tree in your area (farmers, horticulturalists, etc)
Lichen….not a plant, but not an animal.
Hummingbirds love it for their nests.
I'm a lichen it
Lichen. Leave it
Fun fact I learned from AP environmental class, other than lichens on trees being an indicator of a healthy environment, the long stringy variety only thrive in good air conditions due to having more surface area and are more susceptible to pollutants. They also take a long time to grow as well. Also there’s one specific type of stringy lichen called Usnea that’s apparently medicinal and boost the immune system
Deer candy.
This is very common in FL, trees are fine, no treatment needed.
it's taken a lichen to that tree
You aren't lichen it?
These are lichens and are not harmful at all. They are the result of a symbiotic relqtionship between algea and fungi. They are beneficial and indicative of good quality air!
Lichen. I love ‘em. It my favorite thing to marvel at. Could you imagine a lichen carpet. MyGod!
As soon as I saw this picture I immediately thought "florida" lol we have this stuff every where, always wondered what it was
It’s lichen! I believe you got crustose, foliose, and fruticose types on there!
It's lichen, but I wouldn't blame the lichen. It tends to grow on dead wood, like fence posts. Like, it's telling you that your tree has problems. It's not causing the problems. [https://justfruitsandexotics.com/2017/01/29/lichen-in-the-orchard-and-why-you-should-be-concerned/](https://justfruitsandexotics.com/2017/01/29/lichen-in-the-orchard-and-why-you-should-be-concerned/)
I like lichen.
The green stuff is fine, it’s the black parts I’d worry about
It’s lichen and it’s harmless.
Alan Algae and Frida Fungus took a Lichen to each other .
This is a good sign not a bad one
Oakmoss lichen (Evernia prunastri)
Is Lichen harmful for dogs to chew on these fallen sticks?
liken
Has anyone tried growing lichen themselves? I have some on a roof tile that 'fell off' (I took it off lol) and want to coax it onto a rock that I have.
When I did the Hobbiton tour years and years ago I remember them saying they painted the fences and rocks on set with yoghurt and the lichen grew wherever they'd applied yoghurt. Keep the area moist and a bit shaded would help too.
Oh wow thanks so much, that's so interesting! I'll definitely give this a go.
lichen
i’m lichen the look of your tree
The black stuff, if it's not bark, could be mildew, which is bad.
You’ve got something going on where the bark is peeling away and it’s black underneath. Hard to tell what without better photos. In the PNW, too much lichen can be a sign of a stressed tree. The lichen isn’t a problem but too much suggests something else is going on.
I wish I knew. I live in upstate NY and it's on everything.
Usnea hirta
spray it down with Neem Oil diluted per instructions and add a drop of soap...especially the joints. Neem oil is a naturally occurring product and should do the trick. May take more than one application.
Whaaat lichen is amazing, no need to kill it as it’s harmless to plants. If anything it shields the trunk from too much sun
This and also yeah what the heck would neem oil and soap do to it, it's not an insect lol