Algae, lichens and moss often form green or grey, powdery or mossy, crusty growths on the stems, branches and trunks of trees and shrubs. Pictured here, lichen and moss. This dreary "gray all day" ...

Understanding the Context

San Antonio Express-News: Ball moss, lichen and mistletoe: Which ones will damage your trees in Texas and which are safe Ball moss, lichen and mistletoe: Which ones will damage your trees in Texas and which are safe MSN: How To Get Rid Of Lichen And Moss From Backyard Trees The presence of lichen or moss on backyard trees can understandably be concerning at first. Lichen is a combination of algae and fungus that lives on any number of solid, undisturbed surfaces, ... Those green-blue growths that you see on tree trunks and branches are not mosses. They are lichens.

Key Insights

Lichens are not killing your tree, nor are they causing it to fail. They are telling you something ... Seattle Times: Ciscoe Morris says not to worry about the moss and lichen hitching a ride on tree limbs Ciscoe Morris says not to worry about the moss and lichen hitching a ride on tree limbs My tree has lost all its leaves and the bark now has some fungi growing on it? Is lichen killing my tree? Lichen (pronounced lie-ken) gets a bad rap based on its appearance alone.

Final Thoughts

It has been on our ... Q: Some of our trees (dogwood, dwarf fruit trees, especially on the north side of lot) and shrubs (azaleas) are covered in dried moss to differing degrees (furry patches to whole branches covered).