Seeing gray, green, or yellow patches of lichen growing on your trees can be concerning. After all, a lot of tree owners associate these mossy-looking substances with decaying, diseased, or dead trees. However, the truth behind their presence might surprise you.
Do lichens harm trees? Read on to learn all you need to know about lichens and how turning to a highly-rated arborist in Harper, TX can help you determine whether they’re harming the tree.
What Is Lichen?
Though many consider lichens plants, this is not the case. Lichens are actually a complex combination of green algae and fungus and are quite common.
According to arborists, there are more than 20,000 different types of lichen, all coming in various shapes and colors. You’ll often find them growing on the surface of tree trunks or a tree branch that’s recently suffered a sudden loss of leaves.
Do Lichens Harm Trees?
At first sight, the presence of lichen can be alarming. However, it isn’t as harmful as you might have been led to believe.
Do lichens harm trees? The short answer is no; lichens are self-sustaining organisms. This means that they are able to make their own food, getting the nutrients they need from moisture and sunlight.
Because of this, they are able to survive without using your tree as a food source. What’s more, since lichens aren’t plants, they don’t have roots that burrow into your tree’s bark. Instead, they attach themselves onto the surface, only using the trunk or branch for support.
That’s not all. It turns out that lichens can actually be beneficial. But how?
They Make Your Tree More Picturesque
A lot of tree owners in Harper, TX, don’t mind having lichens growing on their trees. These organisms can enhance a tree’s visual appeal, adding color, texture, and a stunning natural beauty to the landscape.
Lichens Act as Air Filters
Did you know that lichens help regulate the gases in the atmosphere? Each species acts as a sponge, catching and storing pollutants and excess gases like carbon dioxide. By doing so, they filter the air you breathe.
They Act as Pollution Indicators
Lichen only thrives in clean air. As such, you can determine your area’s air quality by looking at how abundant or scarce lichens are.
They Attract Wildlife
While they might not look attractive to you, different types of wildlife are actually fond of lichens. For instance, it is a favorite snack for critters like frogs. Also, hummingbirds love to use lichens when building their nests.
Lichens Have Nutritional Value
Are you worried about lichens stealing nutrients from your trees? You don’t need to be. In fact, some lichen species have the ability to enrich the soil with nitrogen, which is crucial for your tree’s health.
Should You Remove Lichens From Your Tree?
Considering how beneficial lichens can be, there is no need to remove them from your tree. Actually, attempting to do so can end up doing more harm than good. Scraping them from the surface could result in bark injuries that act as the perfect entryways for pests and diseases.
Contact Your Local Arborist for Assistance
Do lichens harm trees? On the contrary, these substances can actually be beneficial, not only to your tree but to the wider environment as well.
However, lichens do tend to prefer growing on trees whose health is in decline. So, while they are harmless, it might help to get a certified arborist to assess your tree’s condition.
Reach out to Rockoff Tree Solutions today at 830-955-0304 to schedule your consultation and learn more about lichens, as well as tips to save damaged trees.
