We have a very old and unkempt apple tree that seems most likely to be a Granny Smith. It's probably 50 years old, and almost certainly not pruned for the last 20+ years. It produces well, all things considered, but one thing that looks to me to be a problem is an almost total covering of lichen. We will be trying to propegate this tree by air layering and by grafting, but should we try to do anything about this coat it is wearing? Sorry but I seem to one of the last people on the planet without a digital camera so I have no images to post. Ralph
Hi Ralph: The proposed age of the tree leads me to believe that it probably is not a Granny Smith but could be a Pippin instead. 30-35 years old, could be a Granny. 50 years old, more than likely not. The Lichens generally feed on Algae. In cooler and in general wetter climates it is quite common to see Lichens growing on trees. Here at the higher elevations and in shade we will see what we call Black Algae covering the trunks of all of the Incense Cedars, we seldom see them on the trunks of Pines here. Much of the time the Lichens are in areas that are shaded also. Here on the Valley floor we will see Lichens on trees and then when it gets hot and with any direct sun the Lichens will soon disappear or will become crusted over. For your Apple, a good cleaning up of the tree by pruning will help rejuvenate vigor and will in a short time later increase the production of Apples. Allowing more sunlight into the tree will keep the Lichens from spreading. There is no need to do much of anything about the Lichens as they should not be parasidic to your tree. Lichens are for the most part quite harmless. Jim
