lichen

[ann1]

OK I GOT A FEW QUESTIONS ON LICHEN.
RECENTLY I PURCHASED WOOD FROM SOMEONE WHO DIDNT KNOW HOW TO PREPARE IT RIGHT AND MAY HAVE BEEN BAKED WITH LICHEN ON IT. NOT TO MENTION THIS PERSON WAS ALSO SICK (WHICH IS A WHOLE OTHER STORY) ANYHOW I TOSSED THAT WOOD BUT OF COARSE NOT BEFORE MY CHINS HAD CONSUMED A PIECE OR TWO.
HERE'S MY QUESTIONS; WHAT EXACTLY IS LICHEN? WHY DOES IT GROW ON TREES? ARE THE TREES UN HEALTHY TO BEGIN WITH? CAN IT KILL A CHIN?

SECOND PART TO MY QUESTIONS. MY HUBBY RECENTLY BROUGHT ME HOME SOME APPLE WOOD FROM WA. IT CAME FROM HIS BROTHERS HOUSE AND HASNT EVER BEEN SPRAYED. LOOKING AT IT IT DOESNT LOOK HEALTHY AT ALL. I WILL POST SOME PICS. HOPEFULLY YOU ALL CAN GIVE ME SOME INSIGHT AS TO WHAT IT IS. ONE MORE THING, HE SAID THE TREES WERE YOUNG TREES.

 

[aznmexaggie]

Lichen is a symbiote which is basically two organisms partnering up to help each other out while also helping themselves. Lichen normally grows in areas where it is difficult for other plants to survive (harsh conditions) and by this relationship, it has a better chance for survival. It is a combination of a fungus and an algae or cyanobacteria (blue-green algae). Depending on which organisms make up the lichen, some may produce toxins. I'm not sure what chinnie-harmful toxins would be produced as they are likely producing mostly toxins targeting competing bacteria but IMO, it is better to be safe than sorry. There are so many types of lichens and unless you are a botanist/mycologist, it is difficult to identify them and know what compounds they are all producing. I took a botany class a couple years ago but that's as much as I can tell you about lichens... lol. Just the basics.

 

[ann1]

So you wouldn't know which ones grow on apple trees?

Also is that what is growing on those branches? I know their not right but wanted to see if i couls get myself more familiar with what it is and what it looks like??

Thanks

 

[rcr]

The white stuff growing off the branches is definitely lichen.

 

[Chinniechantel]

None of my wood has ever looked like that, I would not want to give that to the chins. It does look like litchen to me, and like said, it really is nearly impossible to tell unless you specialize in that. There are plenty of good people who sell wood, and it is really important and so much better to be safe than sorry.

 

[whiskers387]

Thats not what i sold you right? because what i sold oyu had no lichen on it.

 

[alli713]

yeah, that is definitely lichen, and a lot of it. I don't know that it's a specific type of lichen that grows on a specific tree. I think any type of lichen can grow on any type of tree. So a toxic one could grow on an apple tree, or it could grow on a willow tree etc. This is why I feel it's better safe than sorry and don't use anything that has any lichen on it, even if you're able to scrape it off.

 

[ann1]

None of my wood has ever looked like that, I would not want to give that to the chins. It does look like litchen to me, and like said, it really is nearly impossible to tell unless you specialize in that. There are plenty of good people who sell wood, and it is really important and so much better to be safe than sorry.

Thank you.
I totally agree that there are plenty of good people to buy wood from. I usually do that too.
I thought I was getting a bargain on one of my deals (never again) Ended up throwing it out. Not much of a bargain
The pictured wood came from WA and was free but it didn't look right and I wasn't about to chance it and give it to my chins and I would never in a million years think of selling it. those branches in the pic. looked loaded with lichen not to mention didn't even feel right. I wanted to verify that my suspicions were right tho since I usually just buy my wood from reputable people and have never really dealt with it
I guess my question is this, what causes lichen to grow on certain trees and not on others?
Is the tree unhealthy? Will it or can it ever be lichen free?
I wont make the same mistake again. it something sounds to good to be true then it probably is. Lesson learned.

Oh and whiskers, (since you asked) the wood pictured was not yours. My only concerns with you (and your wood) were the facts that you were just asking similar questions to this awhile back but yet you were selling wood that you weren't positive was lichen free. It's one thing to give it to your own chin (should you choose) but if you want to sell it another you should totally no what it is and if your tree has it.
That and the fact you had ring worm and handled wood (which yes i had bought and gave some to my chins before being made aware of it) I thought was not very responsible.
I think that is the point chinniechantel was making.....
Thanks again guys.....I appreciate it