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Tasmanian Tree Fern covered in what looks like a Lichen?

pauljbarhampauljbarham Posts: 3
in Problem solving

Hi, this is my tree fern which I’ve had for about 10 years now. Over the past 18 months it’s trunk on one side has grown this amazing Lichen (well that’s what it looks like to me, I’m no expert) - just wondered if it is likely to harm it, and if so what I can do about it. The strange thing is it only seems to form on the old trunk, not the growth since I’ve had it. The plant stays out all year in a sheltered yard on the South Coast of Devon with just a ball of fleece in its crown to protect it from frost. The fern grows two complete sets of leaves each year, once at the start of summer and one at the end. Any advice would be appreciated, thanks in advance.

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Posts

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    edited November 2019
    I wonder if @Hostafan1 has an idea about this? 
    He lives in damp Devon
    and knows about tree ferns etc 

    Think he’s out this afternoon but I’m
    sure that when he gets back he’ll see this thread 😊 


    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    I'm afraid I know nothing about them apart from the fact that I'd love some. 
    IMHO the lichen is doing no harm whatsoever and is a sign that it's getting enough moisture. I rather like it.
    Devon.
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    Forgive our manners @pauljbarham,
    Welcome to the Forum.
    Devon.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    My apologies ... I had a feeling you’d grown them in the past .., must’ve been dreaming. 🙄 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • pauljbarhampauljbarham Posts: 3
    Oh yes it’s damp in Devon alright! :D It’s rained on most days for the past 5 weeks!! Thanks for the response.  :)
  • pauljbarhampauljbarham Posts: 3
    No worries and thanks, I quite like it as well, it’s a fantastic colour. It’s spread much faster and become denser this summer / autumn. The fern seems to have grown fine up until now with it, so hopefully it’s not going to have a detrimental effect. Looks like a great forum :)
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    pauljbarham said:
    No worries and thanks, I quite like it as well, it’s a fantastic colour. It’s spread much faster and become denser this summer / autumn. The fern seems to have grown fine up until now with it, so hopefully it’s not going to have a detrimental effect. Looks like a great forum :)
    It'll have no detrimental effect whatsoever as it's nowhere near the growing point.
    Devon.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Yay! We got there 😊 
    and yes ... it’s a great forum ... hope to see you again 👍 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • Paul B3Paul B3 Posts: 3,154
    edited November 2019
    Just seen this thread ; if it's of any interest to anyone , my own tree-fern has seemingly the exact same lichen growing on one side of the trunk .
    Has been on for several years with no harm whatsoever , and that's living in 'dry' Lincolnshire ! (Double our average rainfall already in 2019) .
    Everywhere is waterlogged .
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    Rik56 said:
    Do you have a closer photo?.. as a general rule lichen doesn't grow that fast.
    if you stand still long enough in Devon, you'll have lichen growing on you. :smile:

    Devon.
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