söndag 22 februari 2026

Pine lichen and crescent moon

Fluorescent lichens and moss on a pine tree by illuminating with UV light.

Lichens on trees are usually completely harmless and are not a sign of disease. They only use the tree as a foothold and do not take nutrition from it. The lichens indicate clean air and serve as homes for insects, which attracts small birds.

Key facts about lichens on trees:

No harm: Lichens do not penetrate the bark, do not cause rot and do not harm the growth of the tree.

Epiphytes: They grow as so-called epiphytes, mainly on older trees, and get nutrition from water and air.

Air quality: Abundant occurrence of lichens is a sign of a good air environment.

Common types: Examples are leaf lichens such as lung lichen, beard lichen and crust lichen.

Ecological benefit: Lichens provide habitat for small animals, which benefits bird life.


In the sky, a slightly overexposed crescent moon with thin clouds in front.

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