Lichen...Problem? Please Advise

[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

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.

 

if lichens do not take something from the substrate how do the get their mineral needs met? rain?

[Al Baker]

if lichens do not take something from the substrate how do the get their mineral needs met? rain?

 

I don't know, but you can see quite clearly in the second photo that they have had an effect on the wood after having scraped them off.

I would guess that they will hold water too and assist in the composting of my house.

[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

I don't know, but you can see quite clearly in the second photo that they have had an effect on the wood after having scraped them off.

I would guess that they will hold water too and assist in the composting of my house.

 

Lichens break down rock, using carboxylic acid i believe so wood should prove neigh bother! in my experience lichens when numerous cause cambium to become damp and even loose in the long term.

[born2trot]

Its surely an indicator of dampness is it not ?

[Al Baker]

Its surely an indicator of dampness is it not ?

 

Yep it's only on the damp bits, North facing.

It's coming off tomorrow and if it comes back it will be doused with distilled white vinegar (as per Mr Googles instructions)

 

Thanks very much hamadryad for your input.

[mdvaden]

If you remove the lichen, will the sunlight they block increase solar light degrading the wood slowly over the decades?

 

I don't know about that part.

 

But I can recall wood window sills disintegrating a bit in one home, where the inner frame had paint or stain worn away.

[ben lightfoot]

surely the wood is treated anyway so wont cause any problems? enjoying the irony of the eco looking house and scraping off lichen

[Al Baker]

If you remove the lichen, will the sunlight they block increase solar light degrading the wood slowly over the decades?

 

Errr, No

[born2trot]

No sunlight in the highlands of Scotland !! Plenty of dampness though !

[Al Baker]

surely the wood is treated anyway so wont cause any problems? enjoying the irony of the eco looking house and scraping off lichen

 

There's no Irony, just working for what I believe in.