Fungus or algae on all the bark on my trees and shrubs?

Watch Reply
More
Mark unread Print Skip to new
IrishShamrock Covington, LA(Zone 9b) May 15, 2005

Can someone help me before I lose all my trees?!!! I live in south Louisiana...and this spring, a green fungus or 'something' is growing on all my tree trunks and shrub limbs,,,you name it, my maples, oaks, grandpa graybeards, Bradford pear, etc. Some of the limbs are breaking off where the fungus is taking over,,,I am uploading a pic of it. HELP! What should I spray on this to save my trees and shrubs? Thank you for any advice you can give me. I love Dave's Garden. lol
PS I've been wearing my tshirt everywhere, and people do ask about it. :)

Thumbnail by IrishShamrock
Post #1470935
Quote
dovey Columbus, OH(Zone 5b) May 17, 2005

I'm not sure what to make of that, if DrDon doesn't respond to your post and if no one here can help you out I know who you can contact.
Baldo Villegas, he responded to me and was so nice and very helpful.
sactorose@yahoo.com
Baldo is an Environmental Research Scientist, specializing biological control of insect and weed pests.
Honest don't let the title fool you, he is very approachable.

Post #1476988
Quote
ssipes Murphysboro, IL(Zone 6b) May 17, 2005

From the photo, it looks like a lichen, which is a symbiotic alga and fungus living together. They are usually slow-growing and harmless. However, from your description it sounds like this is growing rapidly?

I'm a plant biologist, but this isn't my area. If you email me the photo I will show it to some of my colleagues. ssipes@plant.siu.edu
apparently right-click capabilities are disabled on this site, so I can't copy the photo myself.
Sedonia

Post #1477078
Quote
IrishShamrock Covington, LA(Zone 9b) May 18, 2005

Thank you both so much for your help. I am definitely going to try your advice. I have 5 acres of trees--if they are endangered, it's a scarey thought.
I'll let you know if I find out what that was, so someone else may be helped by this thread one day. :)

Post #1478651
Quote
Cearbhaill Russell, KY(Zone 6b) May 21, 2005

When I first moved to Florida I was mighty alarmed by this "substance' growing on all my trees- I clipped off a piece and took it into my cooperative extension office. They assured me that it is indeed just lichens, and is completely harmless.

Here's a website with photos- a brief Google search can find you many more.
http://www.extension.umn.edu/projects/yardandgarden/ygbriefs/p429lichens.html

Post #1487330
Quote

Post a Reply to this Thread

Please or sign up to post.
Back to Forum Homepage

More Garden Pests and Diseases Threads

Go to all Garden Pests and Diseases threads
BACK TO TOP