Does lichen hurt the tree?

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PatriciaS Mendo. County, CA(Zone 8b) Nov 16, 2005

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?



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raisedbedbob Walkerton, VA(Zone 7a) Nov 16, 2005

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

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PatriciaS Mendo. County, CA(Zone 8b) Nov 16, 2005

Thanks, Raisedbedbob! One less thing to fret about!

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StarhillForest Illinois, IL(Zone 5b) Nov 16, 2005

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.

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adkgardener Bloomingdale, NY(Zone 4a) Nov 17, 2005

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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