Strange Green Growths on Your Tree? Fear Not!
2023-01-24
LRC
TXT
大字
小字
滚动
全页
1Have you ever seen a tree covered in parts with green growth and wondered what it was?
2Were you concerned that the spreading green life might hurt the tree?
3Well, no need to worry.
4Those growths could be lichens, moss or algae, and none of them threaten the tree's health.
5They are not parasites.
6Lichens are symbiotic organisms of fungi, algae and possibly yeast.
7The organisms spread on the tree but they do not live off it.
8They live off each other.
9And, they all favor trees that are sick or growing in poor conditions.
10The growth usually presents as pale green or gray, but sometimes even orange.
11The growth is normally crusty or leafy masses on tree branches and trunks.
12The growth of lichens is actually a sign of good environmental health as they will not survive in polluted areas.
13If lichens are present, the air quality in the area must be good.
14But it also tells you that the tree was sick enough to appeal to lichens.
15So, you might want to give the tree some extra healing care.
16Water the tree, aerate the soil around it, and place mulch along the root zone.
17The area begins 10 centimeters away from the trunk.
18It extends as far as the branches above reach out.
19Moss is another non-parasitic organism that thrives in wettish conditions and grows on trees, among other things.
20It likes shady areas.
21Moss grows in green or yellow mats.
22It favors low soil fertility, acidic pH levels and dense soil.
23In most cases, moss growth is harmless.
24But if the growth becomes very large, its weight could damage branches.
25To limit moss growth on a tree, remove branches in the center of the canopy.
26This will permit more sunlight and better airflow.
27You can also gently scrape the moss off the tree.
28You can also remove it with a chemical that kills fungi.
29Algae is usually considered a water plant.
30However, it can also grow on trees, paths, roofs, fences and houses.
31Like moss, it likes shade and some wetness.
32Algae's green or orange covering can be washed away with a powerful water hose.
33You can also create a wash solution that can slow algae growth.
34Mix about 30 milliliters of chlorine bleach or white vinegar with about 3.7 liters of water.
35Apply the solution directly on the algae.
36It is not necessary to remove algae from trees.
37But, you can if you want.
38Just spray affected areas with five grams of copper sulfate mixed into 30 milliliters of water.
39The algae will likely regrow in the area, however, if shady, wettish conditions remain in place.
40I'm Caty Weaver.
1Have you ever seen a tree covered in parts with green growth and wondered what it was? Were you concerned that the spreading green life might hurt the tree? 2Well, no need to worry. Those growths could be lichens, moss or algae, and none of them threaten the tree's health. 3They are not parasites. 4Lichens 5Lichens are symbiotic organisms of fungi, algae and possibly yeast. The organisms spread on the tree but they do not live off it. They live off each other. And, they all favor trees that are sick or growing in poor conditions. 6The growth usually presents as pale green or gray, but sometimes even orange. The growth is normally crusty or leafy masses on tree branches and trunks. 7The growth of lichens is actually a sign of good environmental health as they will not survive in polluted areas. If lichens are present, the air quality in the area must be good. 8But it also tells you that the tree was sick enough to appeal to lichens. So, you might want to give the tree some extra healing care. 9Water the tree, aerate the soil around it, and place mulch along the root zone. The area begins 10 centimeters away from the trunk. It extends as far as the branches above reach out. 10Moss 11Moss is another non-parasitic organism that thrives in wettish conditions and grows on trees, among other things. It likes shady areas. 12Moss grows in green or yellow mats. It favors low soil fertility, acidic pH levels and dense soil. In most cases, moss growth is harmless. But if the growth becomes very large, its weight could damage branches. 13To limit moss growth on a tree, remove branches in the center of the canopy. This will permit more sunlight and better airflow. You can also gently scrape the moss off the tree. You can also remove it with a chemical that kills fungi. 14Algae 15Algae is usually considered a water plant. However, it can also grow on trees, paths, roofs, fences and houses. Like moss, it likes shade and some wetness. Algae's green or orange covering can be washed away with a powerful water hose. 16You can also create a wash solution that can slow algae growth. Mix about 30 milliliters of chlorine bleach or white vinegar with about 3.7 liters of water. Apply the solution directly on the algae. 17It is not necessary to remove algae from trees. But, you can if you want. Just spray affected areas with five grams of copper sulfate mixed into 30 milliliters of water. 18The algae will likely regrow in the area, however, if shady, wettish conditions remain in place. 19I'm Caty Weaver. 20Jessica Damiano wrote this story for Associated Press. Caty Weaver adapted it for VOA Learning English. 21_________________________________________________________________ 22Words in This Story 23parasite - n. an organism living in, on, or with another organism in order to obtain nutrients, grow, or multiply often in a state that directly or indirectly harms the host 24symbiotic - adj. characterized by or being a close, cooperative, or interdependent relationship 25crusty - adj. a hard surface layer 26aerate - v. to expose to or supply or fill to the limit with air 27thrive - v. to grow extremely well 28shady - adj. sheltered from the sun's rays 29canopy - n. the uppermost spreading branchy layer of trees 30_________________________________________________________________ 31Do you have a favorite kind of tree? Tell us about it! 32We have a new comment system. Here is how it works: 33Each time you return to comment on the Learning English site, you can use your account and see your comments and replies to them. Our comment policy is here.