Help me identify this green stuff on my trees

Question

This green mold/algae looking stuff is all over my Japanese maple. I've discovered it on the bark of some other trees as well. Does anyone know who I would take a piece of tree bark to in order to identify what it is?

Lyn · Answer

It's tree moss. It is very common and does not hurt the tree. It usually grows on the side of the tree that gets less sun which means it is more moist. For more information, google tree moss.

Gwen · Answer

county ag dept?

360 Sod (Donna Dixson) · Answer

You have lichens. They will not harm your tree. Check them out, they are very cool organisms! http://www.lichen.com/biology.html

Rosemary N · Answer

I'm in the lichen camp, too. Don't worry, it won't hurt your tree.

Rev. Brian Moffit · Answer

It helps you find north. ( least amount of sun) Old Indian knowledge.

Sabina · Answer

Lichens

KMS Woodworks · Answer

Lichen....which comes in three basic growth forms. What you have here is the Foliose type. http://www.perspective.com/nature/fungi/lichens.html

Kerrie Marquart · Answer

Lichen and it is harmless as it only uses the tree as a host just as Spanish Moss does and does not take any nutrients from the tree but the moisture in the air. It usually is more prolific on dead branches and bark.

Jeff C · Answer

The reason why I posted this is because I figured this stuff all over the tree was one of the reasons for my maples demise. Looks like Lichens are harmless although they sure do cover a lot of tree bark. Thanks all for the help.

Terry G · Answer

I had something that looked like this on an azalea- which was dying where this was. So perhaps there is bad lichen?

Cyndi Neumann · Answer

Lichen and Algae grow on many of the trees here in North Carolina!  
They vary in types and colors, I think they add a bit of interest! 
Smiles, Cyndi

Eulalia · Answer

Lichens, if I remember correctly, are actually edible! Something to keep in mind in case of a food shortage!!! LOL.

Gina · Answer

Very good to know. I have this on a couple of my trees as well. Thanks for all of the info.

Home Repair Tutor · Answer

Thanks so much everyone for your comments, we have the same thing on our trees and I was worried. But you've calmed my fears :)

S · Answer

Lichens won't harm it, but it does indicate that the tree may be stressed. I googled the subject, because I was only partially recalling my microbiology. I found an article explaining the relationship between lichens and trees: http://www.farmcarolina.com/article/Lichens-like-plants-that-are-under-Lichens have a mutual relationship; they prefer trees under stress, but don't harm them. If the trees are valuable it might be good to call a tree expert and see what your maples need to grow properly or ask a nursery what you should be feeding them. We need to feed our trees regularly.

Gretta G · Answer

Not algae, lichens. Enjoy the rustic look-it wont hurt anything!

Ronda Henderson · Answer

Once dried, it can be used as a firestarter...it burns very hot to get the coals going. It is also called 'old man's beard' and is not hard on trees.

Riggs Laughlin · Answer

Ronda i`m very good in home repairs......whats wrong with the coal mixed up stuff

KMS Woodworks · Answer

@Sue The lichens do not 'target' sick plants. They are simply growing where more favorable conditions exist. An example might mean a drought stressed plant produces less foliage, so there is more 'light' available for the lichen to grow. They still follow the basic equation of air, sunlight and water combined with a physical substrate on which to attach. Colonization is slow as these plants are fairly slow to grow and spread. One of my botany professors ( I have a masters in biology with a minor in Botany) recalled a study that was done on tombstones and lichen. This type of lichen was the crusty kind found on rocks. A relationship was developed based on the 'diameter' of the colony and the age of the tombstone. As a pioneer specie, they often start and small speck and grow out in a radial configuration. Where potential issues can arise is that the lichens will contain organic material. They also 'trap' moisture. As the plant lives and dies the organic material left behind and trapped moisture can lead to other secondary issue. Molds and fungi feed on organic material and if this is trapped in nooks and crannies it can be harmful to the plant or other item..like decking, roofing etc. check out this article I wrote on mossy roofs. http://www.networx.com/article/roofing-rx-treatment-for-a-mossy-roof the problem here and in some lichen cases lies with accumulations of organic matter and moisture.

S · Answer

I didn't use the word target, but if they are stressed they are more likely to have lichen, but they are not bad for the tree. However, the tree may have some other stressor going on that one might want to check out. Now I didn't throw my degrees at you.

Darlene T · Answer

I've heard that were there is Lichen, the air is supposed to be more pure (not much air pollution)
I live in the mountains of West Virginia and the Lichen is all over my trees... all of them!

KMS Woodworks · Answer

@Darlene T I have heard this as well. The term for this is 'indicator species' The reason this works with lichen is they are very sensitive to issues with the rainwater. As they do not get their water from the ground like most other plants. The minerals in the soil help 'buffer' the acidic conditions of rainwater that is tainted by sulfur dioxide (acid rain producers). http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/ocr_gateway/understanding_environment/population_pollutionrev3.shtml Some years back I got to attend the founding meeting of the US's Acid Rain Coalition. I also learned lot about this when getting my masters in Bio. (Botany Minor)

Darlene T · Answer

KMS... question, what do you know about ALKALINE water, seem that is what our well water is. We don't water out plants with it, especially tomatoes, turns the lower leaves yellow. We just collect the rain water runoff from our roof and during hot days we water with that.

KMS Woodworks · Answer

@Darlene T Some alkalinity issues can be corrected with a 'water softener' as these minerals contribute to the problem. RO (reverse osmosis) is another method, Mineral acid addition is yet another.

The best way to go about this is to have your water tested by a lab, this will let you know exactly what you have and the concentrations of the 'mineral' or ion components. Some folks will even test their water a various times of the year as there is often seasonal variations. ( this is more dependent on the depth of your well)

Once you have a water 'profile' identified, you can target a treatment plan to correct it.

Darlene T · Answer

Thanks for the info KMS

Bobbi Harrigan · Answer

I have tis on my trees too..I didnt have it TIL AFTER HURRICANE KATRINA..I live in the South part of La.. the outerskirts of New Orleans..glad to know it wont kill anything

Linda K · Answer

Brian Moffit, I do believe that it is the *moss* that you want to look for on the north side of the trees, not the lichens. Seems to me our lichens are on all sides, especially the south. :-)

KMS Woodworks · Answer

@Bobbi Harrigan unlike moss...lichens can tolerate a lot more sun. The hurricane may have opened up your yard that is now letting in more sun...and now you have some lichen.

Bobbi Harrigan · Answer

thank You so much

JohnQpublic · Answer

Trees are all dying in my yard. Pine, hardwoods, ranging in height from 10 feet to 40 feet you name it. Only common denominator is this lichen gone viral choking them off which you all purport to be inert and not harmful ? And someone writes it attaches to trees which are stressed ? Absurd.....no reason for ALL trees in this area to all of a sudden become sickened with dying branches only shortly after seeing this stuff show up.....( last 3 years )and if it just 'shows up' some time after a storm as someone suggests, it was probably just carried there by the winds infecting your yard....

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