AusBonsai

I am interested in others opinions on the fors and againsts of letting lichen grow on the bark of their trees.

the air quality out in the hills here must be good as ive noticed several kinds starting to grow on alot of bonsai. never happened in 4 years growing bonsai in rockhampton. i like the look but again i dont know long term damage. i guess it depends how much grows?

I think Matthew has it right regarding air quality. I bought a few trees that had lichen and moss on them but as soon as I moved them into my area which is suburbia they mostly all disappeared from the bad air quality as I live near a major road. The trees have suffered slightly from the adjustment but are fairing a lot better now. I think it makes the tree look cool with a small amount on it. Logically, can't imagine it can be bad for them though...

Lichen is so slow growing that you have little to worry about regarding the preservation of your tree.
For me it is simple - If it looks good, which it most often does, it stays.

In my sub-tropical climate the lichen seems to grow fast and even comes up and grows on plastic shade cloth and ceramic pots.
For quite a few decades I have left it as I like the look of it and it ads an air of antiquity to the trees, however several people have said to me lately that too much of it can kill a branch. My feeling is that if the tree is fed well and is growing well then some lichen or moss on the branches and trunk won't cause much trouble. Just wondering what others have experienced.

Ive always wanted this sort to grow down from a low lying branch:



But as described earlier, the air quality may not be the best around here, main road and under neath a flight path.

That lichen looks positively evil. I was thinking more like these.

G'day Hackimoto

I have been thinking about a post titled 'I'm not Likin' Lichen any more' for a couple of weeks now, as my opinion is changing over the years. I always loved it because it was natural and a sign of air quality, and made my trees look older. As my trees get older and the lichen thickens, it seems there is some weakening, and after it is cleaned off the tree seems better for it. I know of a few people that have had mysterious weakening of Bonsai with no apparent pests, and cleaned the lichen with warm water and a brush to have the tree return to health.

Seems to me it is certainly managable, and is different on different trees. Figs seem fine, but Junipers and Pines don't seem to like too much. The larger 'foliaged' lichens seem to be a little parasitic and live a little off the tree as well. Any experts out there?

Are you Likin' Lichen?

Tony

In general I like a bit of lichen on a trunk & primary brances but when it gets to this stage it is not good
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Lichens by their nature they break down the surface they are growing on so maybe they could possibly harm a tree in the long term.