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Native holly has an odd pattern on its bark. Is there a problem starting? Thank you,. Yvette
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Holly question #783662
Asked March 09, 2022, 7:52 PM EST
Native holly has an odd pattern on its bark. Is there a problem starting? Thank you,. Yvette
Anne Arundel County Maryland
Expert Response
Hello Yvette,
This looks like a type of lichen, which are harmless organisms that grow on tree bark. They don't take any water or nutrients from the tree, they just use the bark as a place to attach and grow in what sunlight they can receive though the canopy. There is no need to treat the tree, and if there happens to be any decline the tree exhibits in the future, the lichen are unrelated.
Miri
This looks like a type of lichen, which are harmless organisms that grow on tree bark. They don't take any water or nutrients from the tree, they just use the bark as a place to attach and grow in what sunlight they can receive though the canopy. There is no need to treat the tree, and if there happens to be any decline the tree exhibits in the future, the lichen are unrelated.
Miri
