How to cope with spring lichen on fruit trees

Many experts believe that lichen inhibit the growth of fruit trees. There are gardeners professionals consider them harmless. We try to figure out whether to fight the lichens on the fruit trees or not.

What are lichens

This is a group of living organisms, the body of which is formed from two elements: algae and fungus. They are together in symbiosis. They can be painted in different colors: bright yellow, white, brown, orange, gray-green, black, pink color.

Under the form is divided into crustose, bushy and leafy lichens. Although lichens settle on the trees, they are not considered parasitic plants. Much harm garden is not applied. But if they grow, they begin to oppress the tree. Under a layer of lichen longer evaporates moisture. Therefore, it contributes to the development of harmful fungi, rot and damping off of the cortex.

Causes of lichen

Most often, lichens can be seen on the branches of fruit trees thickened. So do not feel sorry for the old branches, and they need to be trimmed. We can not allow condensed with tree crown. Under lichen settle various fungal spores and microorganisms.

Among some gardeners have long reinforced the view that the lichens are not harmful to trees, trunks and protect from frost and sun burns. If the tree appears lichen, the need rejuvenation pruning. Among berry bushes can be found specimens with lichen, and more often these bushes are old and they want to cut.

How to deal

To combat lichen required 50 grams of copper sulfate per 1 liter of water (i.e., five percent solution).

Suitable three percent and Bordeaux mixture (copper-containing preparations). This solution was treated with a brush branches of trees, as if each of them prokrashivaya to kidney swelling process. But it is better to engage in this procedure, in the autumn, before winter.

After 3-4 days, the lichen itself will disappear.

Means toxic, so you should wear gloves. If the trees are tall, they are treated with the sprayer.

You can also clean the dead bark of old trees conventional brush, she scraped together well with lichen.

Thus, if you need to remove lichen with fruit trees or not, you must decide for yourself.

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