Lichen

I have a problem with a grey, sort of dusty lichen in my garden that started on my hawthorn hedge but has now spread to fences and plants. It seems to be killing my hedge unless something else is and the lichen comes after. Any ideas what it is and how to treat it?

 

Hi SCOOBYSDAD

Is it possible for you to post any pictures of the affected trees and plants? Lichen is a harmless organism that simply grows on many surfaces, but doesn't cause any problem.

 

I wish I could encourage it to grow on my Budha statue,
I have tried painting it with yoghurt

Jack McHammocklashing

 

Hi Scoobysdad,

I'm with Jiffy on this, and to support this:-

Lichen on a hawthorn tree:: OS grid NT4117 :: Geograph Britain and Ireland - photograph every grid square!

Jack could you stop rubbing the Budha that way the lichen may have chance to take hold:WINK1:

 

I was so pleased to find this thread - I've got the same problem on two separate hedges, and they do genuinely appear to be suffering due to the lichen infestations. The first (and worst affected by the sulphur coloured variety) is south facing and is partially located under a damson tree, but still gets plenty of light. The other is in clear sunshine, and is worst affected on the top by the silver/grey lichen.

It's the prunus/blackthorn plants that are faring worst, but the hawthorn bushes are also failing (privet and nitida don't seem to be affected). Large areas covered by the sulphur lichen are now completely dead and I'm seriously concerned about just how bad this could get.

If, as suggested, lichens don't physically harm the bushes, could they be out-competing (smothering) the new buds each year, thus weakening the plants?

For reference, I'm in rural Suffolk.

Any thoughts welcomed!