Moss and lichen on trees. Potassium sulfate will destroy them

Are you looking at the fruit trees in your own garden or orchard and something doesn’t seem right? It might be the appearance of their trunks and branches. That’s exactly where lichens and mosses very often take root. This isn’t anything out of the ordinary, but moss and lichen can be a source of future problems. No, they don’t directly harm the trees themselves, but they can lead to unnecessary issues later on, making the trees more susceptible to insect infestations and diseases. So what problems do lichen and moss cause, and how can you get rid of them? We’ll answer both questions in the following paragraphs.

How do moss and lichen affect the health of trees?

As we’ve already mentioned, neither lichen nor moss directly affects the health of trees. They simply grow in a moist environment and indirectly contribute to the following problems for trees.

Photo: Pixabay

Reduced light intake

Trees need sunlight. However, if lichens and mosses cover a large portion of their trunks, sunlight naturally cannot reach them. This can lead to reduced photosynthesis. Trees produce much less energy from sunlight, and their overall health may deteriorate.

Magnets for insects

Lichens and mosses provide an ideal refuge for insects. It is precisely their activity that quite often leads to unpleasant damage to trees.

Tip: Moss indoor lawn. Eliminate it!

Moisture accumulation

Fungi and molds thrive in damp environments. Both mosses and lichens are highly effective at absorbing moisture, which in turn leads to the spread of fungi and molds.

How to remove moss and lichens? Ferrous sulfate can help

This compound is exceptionally well-suited for this purpose. You’ll need a solution of ferrous sulfate. Preparing it is quite simple. Simply mix 30 grams of ferrous sulfate with 5 liters of water. It’s important to dissolve the compound thoroughly in the water. Then all you need to do is apply the solution to the trees. You can do this with a brush. However, it’s faster to fill a spray bottle with the solution. Treat the affected areas and let the solution sit for a week. The moss and lichens will gradually turn brown and begin to peel off the tree.

Sources: Author, Meta, https://zahradnickakucharka.cz/mechy-a-lisejniky-na-ovocnych-stromech-ci-kerich-ponechat-a-nebo-zlikvidovat/, https://www.levnepostriky.cz/aktuality/zatocte.s.lisejniky.na.ovocnych.stromech

Preview photo: Pixabay