{"id":14342,"date":"2020-05-05T15:01:38","date_gmt":"2020-05-05T15:01:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/fnr\/extension\/?p=14342"},"modified":"2025-08-01T11:00:43","modified_gmt":"2025-08-01T15:00:43","slug":"lichens-on-trees","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/fnr\/extension\/lichens-on-trees\/","title":{"rendered":"Question: What are these pretty green flower shaped growth spots? Will they damage the tree?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Question:
\n<\/strong>Are these pretty green flower shaped growth spots lichens? It just appeared on my tree this year. With this type of fungus should I be worried that it could damage the tree?\"lichens<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Answer:<\/strong>
\nLichen is common on trees and not bad either. Those grayish-green patches, come in all sizes and shapes and sometimes covering much of the tree, are not feeding on your woody plants. Lichens grow on the surface of the tree, and do not penetrate any tissue. Instead, they make use of the trunk or branches for support. They can be aesthetically pleasing for many. Lichens play a very significant role as a bio-indicator. They only grow where the air quality is good and have a favorable growing environment. They help filter the air as well\u2026 so, don\u2019t worry, be happy!<\/p>\n

Resources:
\n<\/strong>Lichens<\/a>, Purdue Botany & Plant Pathology
\nPurdue Plant & Pest Diagnostic Lab<\/a>, Purdue Botany & Plant Pathology
\nDiseases of Landscape Plants: Leaf Diseases<\/a>, The Education Store, Purdue Extension resource center
\nSurface Root Syndrome<\/a>, The Education Store
\nTree Installation: Process and Practices<\/a>, The Education Store
\nPurdue Landscape Report<\/a>, Purdue University<\/p>\n

Lindsey Purcell<\/a>, Urban Forestry Specialist
\nPurdue University, Department of Forestry and Natural Resources<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Question: Are these pretty green flower shaped growth spots lichens? It just appeared on my tree this year. With this type of fungus should I be worried that it could damage the tree? Answer: Lichen is common on trees and not bad either. Those grayish-green patches, come in all sizes and shapes and sometimes covering […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":64,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[42,80,43,49,53],"tags":[1122,1121,257,262,410],"class_list":["post-14342","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-forestry","category-trees","category-gardening","category-plants","category-urbanforestry","tag-fungus","tag-lichens","tag-purdue-extension","tag-tree","tag-urban","audience-for-enthusiasts","audience-for-homeowners","audience-for-landowners","audience-for-professionals"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t