Lichen (moss) on an apple tree: what to do, how to get rid of it in spring, treatment, photo, description

Content

1 Types of moss
2 Why does the trunk of an apple tree become covered with moss?
3 Do I need to remove moss from an apple tree?
4 Signs of defeat
5 What to do if the apple tree is covered with lichen
6 If apple trees dry out from lichens
7 Preventive measures
8 Conclusion

Lichen on apple trees appears on the surface layer of the bark, especially in cracks, crevices and other weakened parts. It is not a parasite in itself, but contributes to the development of other pathologies, including dangerous fungi and insects. To combat it, the surface of the tree is cleaned, then treated with folk remedies or special preparations.

Types of moss

Mosses belong to one of the largest groups (divisions), numbering approximately 10 thousand plant species. Lichens are another division, represented by more than 26 thousand. These plants often cover the moist bark of fruit trees, including apple trees. Outwardly, they look approximately the same - the surface layer is of different shades. Therefore, in gardening practice, mosses and lichens have become interchangeable concepts.

Moss is a classic plant, while lichen is a symbiosis (close union) of algae and fungi. First, single-celled algae settle on the damp surface of the apple tree bark. They create the primary substrate into which fungal spores enter.Due to moisture, heat and nutrients, they quickly develop and cover individual parts of the trunk and branches.

Depending on the nature of the covering, lichens can be of the following forms:

scale;
scaly;
bushy;
lamellar.

As for mosses, the following types are distinguished among them:

sphagnum;
hepatic;
oak;
deciduous;
Andreev and others.

Lichen on the trunk of an apple tree

Why does the trunk of an apple tree become covered with moss?

Unlike lichens, mosses do not grow roots on apple trees and other surfaces. It does not bloom, but at the same time is more hardy. Therefore, it is impossible to completely insure against tree damage. Most often, the following reasons lead to this phenomenon:

Too thick crown branches, lack of timely pruning
Poor condition of the root system, including due to excessive watering and proximity to groundwater.
Sunburn in hot summers.
Adverse weather conditions, which lead to cracking of the bark and general weakening of the apple tree.
Errors in care (for example, unbalanced watering, excess nitrogen fertilizers), which can also lead to peeling of the surface layer of the bark.
Diseases and pests that weaken the tree and spoil the bark (for example, wood-boring beetles).

Do I need to remove moss from an apple tree?

Lichen is not a parasite. Unlike insects, fungi or bacteria, it does not feed on the juices of the apple tree itself. Cells live off dust and moisture from the air. If the organism has settled on the branches, this indicates that the environmental conditions of the area (especially the air) are quite favorable.

But over time, lichens gradually grow due to reproduction. The layer blocks the access of oxygen to the tissues of the apple tree, which makes breathing difficult.In conditions of limited oxygen supply, bacteria, insects and other pests begin to actively develop. Lichens create a favorable substrate for the appearance of other fungi that cause powdery mildew, rust, brown spot and other dangerous diseases of the apple tree.

Therefore, despite the harmlessness of the lichen itself, it definitely needs to be removed. Some gardeners believe that during the heat the crust will dry out and die. This is a correct opinion, but only partly. In fact, lichens and mosses are unpretentious, and when wet weather sets in, they recover quite quickly.

Signs of defeat

The main sign of damage to an apple tree by lichen is the appearance on the surface of the trunk or branches of a small layer, the color of which can be quite varied:

silver-grayish;
greenish yellow;
golden;
blue.

Lichens can have different colors

Over time, secondary signs of damage appear:

the bark acquires an uncharacteristic yellow or greenish tint;
apple tree leaves dry out and die;
Black dots and small swellings appear on the fruits.

Important! Lichen fungal spores quickly take root in weak spots of the apple tree - crevices, cracked bark, and young seedlings.

Initially, they form a barely noticeable grayish layer. Already at this stage it is important to start fighting - then the problem can be solved in just a few hours.

What to do if the apple tree is covered with lichen

If yellow or other types of lichen appear on the apple tree, you can fight them in different ways. First of all, it is necessary to clean the surface (mechanical action). After this, the affected parts must be treated with folk remedies, and, if necessary, with chemicals.

Mechanical impact

First you need to try to remove moss and lichen from the apple tree mechanically. Most often, a wooden (but not metal) scraper is used for this. Moreover, it is better to start working in the spring after the snow melts, when there is a lot of moisture in the tissues.

Cleaning is carried out thoroughly, removing all affected parts. Moreover, a cloth is first laid under the apple tree so that all parts of the lichen can be carried away and burned. The fact is that they can harbor pests, such as bacteria, insect larvae or fungal spores. You need to work carefully so as not to damage the healthy bark.

It also happens that quite deep cracks remain on the bark, especially in old apple trees or with severe damage. They must be covered (after cleaning and treatment with the preparation). For this purpose the following compositions are used:

clay;
clay mash with manure in a ratio of 1:1;
garden var. You can prepare it yourself or purchase it at the store.

First, the growths are cleaned off, then treated with garden varnish.

Folk remedies

Even if it was possible to completely remove lichen from the apple tree, the affected parts and neighboring branches must be sprayed with special disinfectant compounds. To do this, you can use proven folk remedies, for example:

Take 1 kg of lime and dissolve it in 10 liters of water. Several treatments are carried out with this solution at intervals of 3-4 days. The recipe helps if the affected areas are small.
A mixture of 1 kg of salt, two pieces of laundry soap (pre-crushed) and 2 kg of wood ash per 10 liters of hot water. Let it sit for several hours until it cools and coat the damaged parts of the apple tree.
A mixture of slaked lime (600 g) with powdered sulfur (400 g).Lime is dissolved in 500 ml of boiling water and cooked over very low heat, stirring constantly. After a few minutes, add sulfur, previously diluted in 1.5 liters of cold water. Then continue stirring and cook for another 15 minutes until the solution turns red. The concentrate is diluted 50 times, i.e. take 200 ml per 10 liters of water and start spraying the apple tree. This is a very effective remedy that allows you to completely destroy lichen in just 2-3 days.
Another option is to mix 2 kg of lime with 3 kg of table salt and 20 g of wood glue. All components are dissolved in 10 liters of water and mixed thoroughly. Then they let it brew a little and begin to treat the branches and trunk of the apple tree from lichen.

Folk remedies do not always give the desired effect, but they are indispensable for processing during the fruiting period. In addition, they are used in the early stages of damage, so as not to “overload” the plants and soil with chemicals.

Drugs

Folk remedies do not always give good results, so in some cases it is necessary to treat the apple tree for lichen. Since this plant is based on fungi, it is recommended to use fungicides, for example:

"Skor" is a systemic drug. Consumption rate – 2 ml per 10 l.
"Bordeaux mixture" is a copper-containing product. For processing you will need a concentrated solution of 3%. If the lesion is very severe, the dosage is increased to 5%. It is advisable to spray from early spring before the buds begin to bloom (at least twice).
“Iron sulfate” is another fairly strong remedy. Used in the form of a solution with a concentration of 3% to 5%.
"Fundazol" is a fungicide whose active ingredient is benomyl. Consumption – 10 g per 10 l.

"Bordeaux mixture" is one of the most effective and inexpensive fungicides

Treatment of apple trees from lichens is carried out in the late evening or early morning. The weather should be dry and windless. It is important to take into account the waiting period - the minimum period after which you can begin harvesting (usually 10-15 days). This information can be found in the instructions.

Attention! The described preparations should be used to treat not only the affected trees, but also neighboring healthy apple trees.

This is done for preventive purposes, not only against lichens, but also against fungal diseases.

If apple trees dry out from lichens

If the damage is severe, the bark may dry out. This is one of the consequences of the active spread of lichens, which can lead to the death of branches and even the death of the entire tree. Treatment should be started immediately:

Peel the bark of apple trees.
If the wood is black, it is a sign of cancer. Such places need to be cleaned to the healthy part.
Collect all scraps and burn.
Treat with a powerful fungicide.
Coat with clay or garden varnish.

If an old apple tree is affected by lichen, it is better to immediately cut off half of its branches. The affected layers are removed from the remaining half using a wooden scraper. The cleaned areas are treated with iron sulfate with a concentration of 3-5%.

Preventive measures

The appearance of lichens and mosses on an apple tree can be prevented. Experienced gardeners recommend regularly inspecting trees, since it is very easy to deal with the pest in the early stages. In addition, it is necessary to observe the following preventive measures:

When choosing a planting site, exclude lowlands and those areas where groundwater comes close to the surface.Increased soil and air humidity creates optimal conditions for the development of lichens.
Pruning regularly, avoiding excessive thickening of the crown. Haircutting begins in late autumn, as well as in early spring. All wounds after pruning must be treated with garden varnish or charcoal powder.
In autumn, be sure to remove fallen leaves, bark, branches and other plant debris. It is better to burn them without using them on the farm.
Regularly whiten the stem to a height of at least 30 cm. At the same time, it is worth adding copper sulfate (150 g) per 10 liters to the lime (3 kg). This is a good remedy for the prevention of lichens and other apple tree pests.
Avoid excessive watering and overfeeding with nitrogen fertilizers. This can have a bad effect on the condition of the bark, leading to cracking and peeling.
Regularly loosen the soil, lay a layer of mulch, especially for the winter (straw, pine needles, sawdust).
If the tree is old and heavily damaged by lichens or other fungi, it is easier to cut it down so as not to infect neighboring plantings.

Conclusion

Lichen on an apple tree is a rather dangerous phenomenon, which over time can lead to the death of the tree. It is not parasitic, but can cause pests and diseases. Therefore, the branches need to be regularly inspected and, if necessary, treatment should be started immediately.