Watching GW has rekindled an interest in lichens.
On Google, I have only found sites on how to kill them or scientific studies that go right over my head.
Can anyone recommend a site that gives an idiot's guide with more pictures than text?
In London. Keen but lazy.
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Why do you want to kill lichens?
I don't think B3 wants to kill lichen Papi Jo, she's interested in it.
In the sticks near Peterborough
I certainly don't want to kill them. I want to learn about them.
Lots of scholarly "over my head" stuff but this looks readable - http://rbg-web2.rbge.org.uk/lichen/research_projects/aspen%20epiphytes/aspen%20epiphytes.pdf
Also found that in dry areas they are likely to be silvery or grey as they need moisture to develop pigment.
I have noticed that many of the trees and shrubs have lichen on them. There seems to be three main types.
https://www.field-studies-council.org/product-category/publications/?fwp_publication_type=fold-out-guide&fwp_natural_history_courses=lichens
They also do online courses: https://www.field-studies-council.org/courses-and-experiences/subjects/lichens-courses/
We have 2 books that we have had for many many years.
First one is for "beginners" but so informative.
The Observer's book of Lichens by Kenneth L Alvin Published by Frederick Warne, London. 1977
The second one is very detailed
Lichens An Illustrated Guide by Frank Dobson (Richmond Publishing Company) 1981. This has photos most in black and white but some in colour. It deals with approx 450 British Lichens!