How to rid apple trees of lichen and moss in the garden
Lichen and moss do not harm tree bark themselves, but pests and harmful fungi shelter beneath them. Growth on the trunk can be carefully scraped off, while growth on thinner branches calls for renewing the crown.
Gardeners often ask what to do about lichen and moss on fruit trees. They appear not only on old apple trees but also on younger twigs. The Latvian daily Latvijas Avīze has published advice on how to deal with this growth.
Why the growth is unwelcome
Lichen and moss do not damage the bark in themselves. However, harmful organisms find a home beneath them: pests hide under lichen, while harmful fungi settle under moss.
What to do with the trunk and thick branches
If the growth is on the trunk or on thicker main (skeletal) branches, it can be scraped off. This should be done in damp weather and carefully, so the bark is not damaged. Afterwards, the trunk and main branches are sprayed or coated with a copper-based preparation, such as copper sulfate, or with iron sulfate. Alternatively, the tree can be whitewashed.
If thinner branches are also affected
Growth on thinner branches points to excess moisture inside the crown. This occurs when the crown is overly dense and has never been thinned or renewed. It means the branches have aged, and strong fruiting shoots, flower buds and fruit will not form on them.
If the situation is this serious, thinning the crown or spraying with copper preparations is no longer enough. To keep the tree, the crown must be renewed by thinning the branches and cutting them back hard.
