Lichen on apple trees

[NewbieLucy]

Me again!
Now, I know lichen doesn't damage a tree, but our apple trees are covered in it! Can too much be a sign of anything? It makes the trees look ancient, but from the trunk, they aren't that old. Before we bought the plot, I don't think they had been pruned for a while, so the trees were quite dense, and the grass around them very long. There was a good crop last autumn, but the apples had lots of spots, although the flesh was clear.
Anyway, here's a photo!



Sent from my iPhone using Grow Your Own Forum

[veggiechicken]

'Tis a sign of clean air, nothing to worry about Mine have plenty of lichen on them too.

[Bill HH]

I know in the American wild west they had themselves a whole lot of lichens.

[FB.]

Lichen is normal on apple trees, even young trees. The rough bark helps lichens and mosses get a hold.

I think the lichens and mosses add an extra layer of tree defences because if anything wants to attack the tree it has to get past the lichens and mosses first.

If the apples had spots it's probably the fungal disease 'scab'.
Scab attacks some varieties more than others - the common/well-known/shop-type varieties that everyone seems to plant are often quite prone to scab and many other diseases.
The wetter the climate the more scab (and canker) you're likely to see; even resistant varieties can be affected by scab in wetter areas.

Heavy clay soils also seem to encourage canker and scab.

Not all varieties like the same soil and climate or even being grown on the same rootstock - as others.