Scary looking tree branches in my garden

HitchinPPP

Hi All

We have just moved in to North Herts are and I have noticed that pretty much every tree branch in our garden i covered in some sort of moss (similar as on attached image).  I am hoping to grow some fruit trees in the future but worried if these parasites will ruin them.. Would anyone know what is this and if it's harmful?

Many Thanks

Vaz

 

fidgetbones

Just lichens. It means that you have good clean air. They won't harm the tree in any way.

nutcutlet

I love lichens, they give a mature feel to a garden

HitchinPPP

Phew, thanks a lot for your replies!

Jim Macd

Edd, what do lichens do for the tree?

Fairygirl

Edd - 

I think they are beautiful. Ones of the benefits of hillwalking is getting to see all the lovely things we often forget about or don't take the time to look at. Some of the ones on rocks are particularly pretty and you can get a really good view of those when you're sitting on them to have a cuppa and a biccie!

Well, all that good clean, fresh air gives you an appetite 

Jim Macd

Okay, thanks Edd but they're a composite organism technically. I think they're fantastic too, and get quite niggled with my neighbour, she burns coke and all kinds of crud. The stench is horrible and I'm sure it's as bad for the lychens as it is for me.  Sorry, I'm hijcking the post. I'll not go on.

Fairygirl

I've bagged quite a few Edd! 

 Stob Dearg is the mountain you can see entering Glencoe. I put a pic of it on the Camera thread a while ago. Buchaille EM is the entire ridge - a Munro at each end and two minor tops in between.  It's known as Big Bookil and the adjacent parallel ridge is called Little Bookil. Great walks.

Not sure my knees will ever let me do any more unfortunately. Would like to get a bit more walking though 

Jim Macd

Oh, yes, I think they're great. A couple of years ago this week I went to Northumberland and I've got some nice photos of some on Hawthorn. I'll post when I get home.

Palustris

There is one slight caveat about lichen on fruit trees. they do provide a home/shelter for some of the nasties which can damage the trees. At Powys Castle when they washed the lichen off their Apple tree collection, there was a dramatic improvement in the quality of the fruit.

Personally , like everyone else I like to see the stuff, but it is worth keeping an eye on it for the said creepy crawlies.

Jim Macd