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Q&A - Help! Lichen is killing my tree.

Question:
I was told lichen would not kill trees but it’s spreading and killing the trees it's getting on. What should I do?

Answer:
Lichen does not kill trees but it is an indicator organism that the tree has a problem. The lichen takes advantage of the declining health of the tree but does not take nutrients from the tree. Check the tree for other problems: root problems, girdling, too much water, not the right amount of sun, or an infection. As the tree loses its leaves that allows more light to reach the lichen and they will multiply.

Related Resources:
Lichens on Woody Shrubs and Trees
Tree-Dwelling Lichens
Lichens - Trees and Shrubs 
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  • Home
  • Watch
    • TV Schedule
    • Full Episodes Online
    • How-to and Informational
    • Questions and Answers
    • This Week in the Garden
    • Garden Notes
  • Garden Topic Collections
    • Apple Trees: How-to and Information
    • Peach Trees: How-to and Information
    • Tomatoes: How-to and Information
    • Square Foot Garden Blog
  • Resources
    • Soil Testing
    • Extension Publications
    • Gardening Resources
    • Blogs
    • Organic Gardening
    • Articles
    • Privacy
  • Guests
  • Contact Us
    • Ask a Gardening Gardening Question
  • Search