Lichen...Problem? Please Advise

[Al Baker]

Hello folks,

I couldn't find an apt' place to put this so It's in general chat.

I know some of you are experts in this field and I need some help on this.

 

Here are some pic's of my house. It's a Larch frame construction with Heartwood Larch cladding. I started building it 10 years ago, finished it 6 years ago.

Over the last 2 years I noticed this Lichen growing on some of the timber.

I've no idea what it's called or whether or not it's harmful to the timber.

I don't like the look of it much and after having scraped some off a wee while ago it seems to be still there in the wood.

Should I be worried about it and if so what if anything can be used to treat it?

 

Thanks in advance,

Al.

[NI Tree]

cool house love the roof

[Tilia]

Try this?

 

A guide to lichens on twigs - The Natural History Museum

[Dendrophile]

Thats an awesome pad mate

[Al Baker]

Try this?

 

A guide to lichens on twigs - The Natural History Museum

 

 

Thanks Tillia,

that's a useful resource.

Hypotrachyna laevigata is it's name.

Now I just need to try and isolate a cure for it.

[VEG]

I would imagine a solution of bleach would kill it.

I wouldnt fancy mowing your roof lol

[mdvaden]

If lichens in most cases are fine for trees, why would it be a problem for wood?

 

Suppose it depends on how thick the lichens are and the type of wood.

 

Depending on the species, it may indicate good air quality in your area.

 

[ADB328]

It means you live in an area with very clean air, it isnt a problem.

[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

suspect these are nitrogen tolerant (polution species) will create an increasingly damp micr environment lichens are fungi and algea in partnership the fungi breaks down minerals from rock/substrate/bark and the algea produce sugars from photosynthesis.

 

I think they add to such a wonderful building.

[Fungus]

Over the last 2 years I noticed this Lichen growing on some of the timber. I've no idea what it's called or whether or not it's harmful to the timber.

I don't like the look of it much and after having scraped some off a wee while ago it seems to be still there in the wood. Should I be worried about it and if so what if anything can be used to treat it?

 

Al,

Lichens only use the wood as a substrate to "cling" or to attach themselfs to without having penetrating roots, i.e. not to feed on wood by decomposing it, so because they won't damage your house, you should refrain from "treatment" to kill them. They have, just as your green roofing, become part of the natural ecosytem of your house.