If you have lichen on your apple trees , there ’s no need for business or warning equipment , and you do n’t need to withdraw it or kill it . The presence of lichen may , however , indicate that your tree is try , even if the lichen is not causing the stress .
Tip
There is no need to kill or off lichen from your apple tree , since it is not a parasite and is not harming the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree .
What Is Lichen?
Lichen is not a parasite and does not derive nutrient from the tree ; rather , it uses the tree diagram as a comfortable dwelling , a safe place to domicile , while it attract the sun , moisture and materials it needs from the air .
Is Lichen Moss?
No , lichen is not a moss . It ’s part fungus and part alga . The algae takes maintenance of photosynthesis , while the kingdom Fungi helps drop anchor the algae to its host — your apple tree — and also helps store moisture .
Lichen Likes It Sunny and Clean
Unlike moss , which prefers nuance , lichen like Sunday . You might see lichen not only on Tree but on rocks , roofs , glass and even the grunge .
Lichen spread when mo dry out out and fall off ; then it ’s spread by wind or animals to new emplacement . Even though juiceless , these bit will amount back to aliveness if they get enough water .
Interestingly , the presence of lichen indicates that the air is clean , as it wo n’t grow in a contaminated region .

If your tree has lichen , a lot of light is come through , which may indicate a loss of leaves or branch dieback .
What Kinds of Trees Do Lichen Prefer?
Lichen will develop on young trees as well as on older , less healthy tree . Experts posit that it seems to appear on older Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree more oftentimes , perhaps because their bark does n’t exfoliate . A Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree that exfoliates its barque will slough off the alga .
Lichen Can Point to Problems With Your Tree
Lichen can show a problem with the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree , however . Because lichen prefers sun , it will not grow on barque under a very leafy canopy , so if your tree has lichen , a mass of light is coming through , which may indicate a red of leaves or branch dieback .
Further , a stressed or older tree may have brittle bark with a lot of cracks and cranny , which is perfect for lichen to attach to .
Getting Rid of Lichen on Fruit Trees
If you get hold the lichen unsightly and would rather enjoy your tree diagram without it , you’re able to take steps to eradicate it . No chemical controls are uncommitted for lichen , moss or algae on plants , so you ’ll need a homemade remedy .
train a soapy answer of simple dish soap and urine . Spray the bole and arm that are covered with lichen ; then use a lifelike - bristle brush to chafe it off . deflect brand clash or any scrap puppet because it may also remove barque , which will then take in disease and plague . Spray it off with your hose .