Lichen on newly purchased korean hornbeam

[Berra]

Hello!

Today this funny/funky korean (import) hornbeam reached me. I bought it from one of the major European importers/sellers.

The website pics didn't show any lichen, but real world shows quite a lot of it.

Is this indicative of a business with too many trees and too little time to clean the trees?

Or is it a sign of generally poor health? Typically lichen can take hold when growth is slow, or am I wrong?

 

[Deep Sea Diver]

Greetings and Happy New News!

Lichen is very slow growing and takes years to spread. Normally one would see it on conifers of an age, like many we have at the museum. In those cases it’s usually left alone, being seen as a sign of age and naturalness.

That said, rarely have seen lichen on a hardwood except in Alaska. If you are sure it’s lichen and like the effect, wouldn’t touch it for now. It’s not going to harm the tree like moss can.

The tree itself. From the image only, there is a long straight section on top. This looks like a sacrifice and would be better off removed at some point sooner. The nebari would strongly benefit from working the roots, Ebihara method Perhaps also box the tree for 3 years . The resulting ramification of the superstructure will enhance the design immensely over time.

Cheers
DSD sends

 

[Gabler]

Is this indicative of a business with too many trees and too little time to clean the trees?

No.

Or is it a sign of generally poor health?

No.

Typically lichen can take hold when growth is slow, or am I wrong?

It's a bonsai tree. Slow growth isn't necessarily a problem.

 

[Berra]

Greetings and Happy New News!

Lichen is very slow growing and takes years to spread. Normally one would see it on conifers of an age, like many we have at the museum. In those cases it’s usually left alone, being seen as a sign of age and naturalness.

That said, rarely have seen lichen on a hardwood except in Alaska. If you are sure it’s lichen and like the effect, wouldn’t touch it for now. It’s not going to harm the tree like moss can.

The tree itself. From the image only, there is a long straight section on top. This looks like a sacrifice and would be better off removed at some point sooner. The nebari would strongly benefit from working the roots, Ebihara method Perhaps also box the tree for 3 years . The resulting ramification of the superstructure will enhance the design immensely over time.

Cheers
DSD sends

Thanks DSD, you are always thinking about the next steps. hope you are good.

This was a discount offer, guessing mass produced korean. I actually bought it solely to try to create a cascade type tree. My idea is to cut somewhere before that straight section and build a cascading part.

I will see if it is feasible when I repot it.

 

[Wires_Guy_wires]

Yellow lichen is an indicator for bad air quality with heavy pollution like we get here in my town.
If trees would be too close to one another, the lichen wouldn't form; it requires a lot of light.