Lichens on my apple tree

[boots]

I inherited an apple tree (bramley I think) and for several years it has fruited very well, but the last couple of years it has been poor,the new branches are black and very brittle, it is absoloutly covered in lichens would this cause any problem,if not could anyone cast any light on why the tree appears to be struggling,I would hazzard a guess the tree is approx 15-20 years old and is situated in the middle of my lawn.

[Liza]

Hi boots and welcome to the vine, have you tried searching the fruit forum ?

[Nicos]

All my trees are covered with lichens- I was told it was because the air is so pure here!
No idea about the branches though!

Oh- and hello- welcome to the Vine!

[boots]

thanx

thank you for your welcomes, i've read that lichens only grow where the air is clean it just seems a bit coincidental that the tree appears to be struggling since they've virtualy covered it and thanx i'll check the fruit forum

[snakeshack]

I have a sneaky feeling the "lichens" could be funghi in which case you could have a problem