Ruud Kleinpaste: Why you shouldn't worry about the Lichen on your trees
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At this time of the year, talkback listeners are often picking up the phone to complain about the Lichen that become more and more numerous on their favourite tree, on its main stems and branches. What’s more, the leaves are reducing in size and density, which makes the Lichen do soooo much better!
Lichen are a remarkable collaborative group of organisms – they all work together and often sit on branches, rocks, soil and other lovely areas in sunshine.
The dominant partner is a Mycobiont, belonging to the group of Fungi. It provides shelter for its mates (U-V Light, etc) and often sucks up moisture and minerals.
The second, important, phytosynthetic partner is a Photobiont (Alga, Green Algae, or Cyanobacteria). They can do photosynthesis and create sugars for the partner team.
There are other partners such as yeasts, technically known as Basidiomycetes, apparently producing defensive chemicals against microbes (and perhaps even predators!).
A Microbiome Bacteria is very specific in its job as a collaborative Lichen: it’s often the host of localised bacteria communities settled inside the Lichen bodies where they work on nitrogen fixing, sometimes vitamin production, or even nutrient cycling!
Isn’t it amazing? Yes, I know it all sounds very scientific.
I remember from the past that we only knew about two species of participants forming an active Lichen group – now we’re looking at groups of collaborating primitive critters that work together, are not parasitic, do not eat leaves or branches or fruit, and certainly do not cause fatal trouble in your garden!
The Lichen simply look for nice, sunny spaces where they can grow and create pretty patterns on the trunks of trees.
They feed each other from their own ability to grow the food items they so desire.
And here’s another lovely thing they do: their home pattern on the branches are the best hiding places for predatory insects that help to keep your trees, shrubs ,and elegant branches free from the pests that eat your treasures…
So… how about some extra general fertiliser that will make your trees grow a few more leaves and makes that habitat darker and lusher.
The Lichen will simply adapt to your gorgeous looking tree.
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