Lichens are often blamed for the decline and death of shrubs and trees in Alabama landscapes. This is not too surprising because these unusual plantlike organisms are commonly seen on the exposed limbs and trunks of declining or dead shrubs and trees, especially azaleas, dogwoods, and pecans. Lichens are not responsible for the poor top growth or death of shrubs and trees. Instead, their appearance is often related to damage from environmental stress or poor management. Exposed limbs on damaged plants simply give lichens access to the sunlight they need for growth with little competition.

These often inconspicuous, hardy, and adaptive plantlike organisms are composed of two fungi and a green alga. This union or symbiosis produces a long-lived organism that does not look like the fungal or algal partners, all of which contribute to the growth of the lichen. The alga uses photosynthesis, like other plants, to produce food while the fungus supplies water and essential minerals and produces a structure that protects the alga from extreme environmental conditions. Together they thrive in some of the harshest environments on earth where few other plants and neither partner alone can survive.

Lichens colonize a wide range of exposed surfaces of limbs, stumps, fence posts, soil, rocks, and other living and nonliving objects. Lichens are firmly attached to these hard surfaces. They are most numerous on limbs and trunks of large mature trees and shrubs in full sun, particularly those plants with badly thinned canopies. Most lichens will not thrive on heavily shaded twigs and branches of healthy woody plants. Few lichens are found in areas with high levels of ozone, sulfur dioxide, acid rain, and other common air pollutants. Consequently, lichens are a good indicator of air quality.

Lichens are not generally considered plant pathogens. Lichenized forms (Strigula spp.) of the green alga Cephaleuros are plant pathogens. Strigula spp. is the causal agent of algal leaf spot of camellia, southern magnolia, and other shrubs although southern magnolia and camellia are the most common hosts. On leaves of camellia and southern magnolia, the lichen Strigula appears as numerous small gray-white crusty spots (figure 4), which later turn yellow and are shed. Leaf spotting and premature leaf shed may be unsightly, but this disease is not a threat to plant health.

Lichens are an indication of poor plant health. Good plant vigor is the best defense against the presence of lichens. Heavy infestations of lichens are most common on shrubs and trees in declining or poor health due to other factors. Following recommended establishment, watering, and fertility practices will promote the development of a thick leaf canopy, which will inhibit lichen growth on twigs and limbs. Better growing conditions and soil fertility may stimulate new plant growth and ultimately suppress the lichens. Light pruning of affected limbs will remove some lichens and stimulate new shoot growth that may help shade out the remaining lichens. Trees and shrubs in extremely poor condition will often not respond to better care and should be replaced. Refer to Extension publications “Pruning Ornamental Plants” (ANR-0258) and “Planting and Establishing Woody Landscape Plants” (ANR-0410) for additional information on pruning, planting, and maintaining shrubs and trees.