When Fall rolls in, we always get a lot of inquiries about "that green hairy stuff" growing on the trees. This is called Lichen. This mossy looking stuff forms when a fungus takes a "liken" to an algae. I know..., it's a silly joke, but it helps me remember what it is.
Despite what you think, this green living organism is not killing our trees. It is an indicator that a tree may be in decline, due to age or something else.
Lichens that grow here like clean, moist air; weather we tend to have on Cape Cod. They grow on rocks, fences, roofs, and trees. There are more than 13,000 species of Lichen over the world and
over 3,600 in North America.
Lichen thrives in ample space with room for the air to move around, it also loves the sunlight for chlorophyll production. When a tree is weakened, it will start to lose limbs and leaves. This opens up space in the canopy in and around the branches, creating more air movement and letting in more sunlight. This is a perfect environment for Lichen.
If you have a tree with the "green hairy stuff" on it, it may be due to a decline in the health of the tree. Age, gypsy moth, winter moth, scale, and drought are just some of the stressors that can affect our trees.
You can read more about Lichen from our archived Blog Post
HERE
. But, a change in attitude might be the only thing we can do that is valuable.
And!
You could always try what C.L. did, and make art with it! Check out our Post below this week. Take a look at what The Garden Lady did with some Lichen branches she had gathered. It is very cool and unique!
