I have what I think is a crab apple tree, and it has lots of lichen on it. I think the lichen may be hurting the tree -- the branches with the most lichen look less healthy than the braches without lichen.
Can lichen be harmful to trees? Can it be removed? Can it be discouraged from growing?
Does lichen hurt the tree?
Lichens are harmless, PatriciaS. They only use the tree as an anchor. Go here for more info.
http://mgd.nacse.org/hyperSQL/lichenland/index.html
Thanks, Raisedbedbob! One less thing to fret about!
Large lichens generally are most abundant on branches (or trees) that are dead or have little vigor, or on other stable surfaces like rocks, fenceposts, etc. They grow very slowly and are sloughed off with the old bark as a tree grows, so you seldom see large ones on vigorous trees. Thus, while they might indicate an unhealthy tree, they don't cause a problem.
Guy S.
I've been finding lichens in my vegetable garden all summer. I suspect it is blowing off one of two enormous white pines nearby.
Wayne
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