What Is On This Tree?

Nate Mayfield
by Nate Mayfield
What is this fungus growth on my tree? Will it harm or kill it?
  14 answers
  • Alyssa Alyssa on Sep 13, 2017

    It's lichen. It won't harm the tree, though often lichen picks trees that are already sickly to begin with.

  • Babette Babette on Sep 13, 2017

    lichen. It Wont Hurt The Tree.

  • Bonnie Bonnie on Sep 14, 2017

    Lichen is a natural and beautiful growth on trees. I often collect pieces that have fallen on the ground for my nature crafts and fairy gardens.

    • Joan Morris Joan Morris on Sep 14, 2017

      I do the same thing! My back yard is filled with trees that lichens have made their home. Finding ones with little pine cones on are my favorite for using in my crafts. The lichens add an older look to my pieces.

  • Ki Ki on Sep 14, 2017

    Lichen will only grow where the air is unpolluted - so you must live in a nice place that has not been ruined by development! I think the trees are beautiful with this on them - yes, I have old trees here but they are not sick.

    • Dori Dori on Oct 12, 2017

      This can not be true. Mine have it and we live near 3 steel mills pouring out garbage in my air!

  • Kathleen Werner Kathleen Werner on Sep 14, 2017

    As you can see, you also have moss - both of which love shady areas. Personally, I have both on all my trees, and as mentioned above...are perfect for fairy gardens. I have used painted horseshoes as doors on the bottom of many of my trees.

  • Elizabeth Elizabeth on Sep 14, 2017

    My Apple tree had this stuff. It came with the infestation of the gypsy moths,, two years in a row now. Get rid of those nasty caterpillars /moths and it will fade away. I for one do not see any beauty in moth poop.

  • Kay Guthrie Kay Guthrie on Sep 14, 2017

    It is lichen. It will not harm the trees. It usually grows on the north side of trees because the sun does not shine on it and it is the perfect environment for it to grow.


  • Yofrendonna Yofrendonna on Sep 14, 2017

    thst started to grow on my tree. I gave it a light spray with dilute bleach about 5 years ago . It’s gone and tree is fine

    • See 4 previous
    • Madina Govan Madina Govan on Sep 15, 2017


       Madina Govan San Gabriel, CAJust now

      Thanks for kicking her some knowledg.' Unfortunately' the lack of respect and knowledge' is the main reason the earth is in such great'turmoil, today! 🌏 ✌🏼

  • Patty Patty on Sep 14, 2017

    I love the look of trees with lichen and moss, Hummingbirds use lichen to build their nests. It will not harm your trees, I have it on some of my trees and they are healthy and beautiful.

  • Karen Karen on Sep 14, 2017

    Lichen I agree - It won't hurt the tree - Did you know if you collect it and mix it with stale urine, you can use it as a natural dye - It makes a purple color - Have FUN!!


  • Yofrendonna Yofrendonna on Sep 15, 2017

    Wow. I guess you people told me! Calm down. I got it. Thanks for being rude

  • Jamie Jamie on Oct 04, 2017

    Thank you, now I know what it is, it's harmless

  • Dori Dori on Oct 12, 2017


    from Oxford (online) dictionary

    Pronunciation: /ˈlīkən, ˈlaɪkən/

    noun



    1a simple slow-growing plant that typically forms a low crustlike, leaflike, or branching growth on rocks, walls, and trees.Lichens are composite plants consisting of a fungus that contains photosynthetic algal cells. Their classification is based upon that of the fungal partner, which in most cases belongs to the subdivision Ascomycotina, and the algal partners are either green algae or cyanobacteria. Lichens obtain their water and nutrients from the atmosphere and can be sensitive indicators of atmospheric pollution

    2 [usually with modifier] a skin disease in which small pimples or bumps occur close together.

    lichen: origin

    early 17th century: via Latin from Greek leikhēn

    (Definition from Oxford Dictionaries Online © Oxford University Press 2014)

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