Hi gang. I know we can get a new tree from the county if the current one is dying, but I was curious if there's some fertilizer, nutrients, or anti-fungals that might also be possible to bring this tree back to life. It has leaves and all, but some branches sometimes fall in high winds, and this is an example. There's so much stuff growing on this branch I cannot see how the tree is still standing. What is growing though? Seems like two different strains of moss? Is that right?

No, your tree is not dying. Its damp enough at your house to grow lichens though. Lucky you!

Branches breaking in high winds... some trees are more prone to breaking than others. That's not a indication of health. What kind of tree is it?

Welcome to the site!

Moving your question to the Trees and Shrubs forum.

Lucy68 said: No, your tree is not dying. Its damp enough at your house to grow lichens though. Lucky you!

Well. I guess that's good news.

Lucy68 said: What kind of tree is it?

According to [self-censored by the rules here, apparently] it is an Acer rubrum L.
LC Red maple Sapindaceae.

Still, some of the branches that fall down seem extremely fragile and crumbly. There's even a mushroom growing out of a root. And a mini-tree growing from the center. It seems. Surely, there are some good tree nutrients that will help it. What about molybdenum?

Maple trees do fall into the brittle category and it does sound like your tree has some issues. But without photos, we will never know.

jasontaylor7 said: It has leaves and all, but some branches sometimes fall in high winds, and this is an example.

This one picture isn't enough for me to tell anything about your tree.

Need pic of entire tree.

In my experience, a tree that is growing lichen and dropping branches probably has issues in the root zone.

I can't think of any amount of fertilizing that will make up for a tree growing in compacted soil with suffocating roots.

Can only suggest doing better soil prep with any future trees.

Show us the tree! Show us the tree!
The tree, the whole tree, and everything around the tree!

stone said: In my experience, a tree that is growing lichen and dropping branches probably has issues in the root zone....Can only suggest doing better soil prep with any future trees.

Stone, is it true that you disagree with Lucy? That is to say, you think lichen isn't good for a tree, and that really healthy trees don't have it?

Growth of lichen on a tree is entirely unrelated to anything, good or bad, going on in the tree's roots, and is not an indication of the tree's health, good or bad.

Lichen is a fascinating, complex life form. Suggest you take some time to read about it to dispel your concerns.

Photos of your tree and surroundings will allow better advice.

About lichen on trees
https://extension.psu.edu/do-l....

https://njaes.rutgers.edu/fs12...

jasontaylor7 said: Stone, is it true that you disagree with Lucy? That is to say, you think lichen isn't good for a tree, and that really healthy trees don't have it?

While the lichen does not harm the tree, and is not responsible for the tree's issues, it often shows up when there's a loss of leaves from the canopy.

So... From what I've observed... It's an indication of problems... in spite of not being a problem.

From what I've observed... It is just taking advantage of a niche provided when the tree started producing less foliage.

I haven't personally observed lichen growing [abundantly] when the trees are in full health.

Good question, though.

Many lichens are more evident on stressed or old tree trunks and branches giving the appearance of a "cause and effect" association with disease and decay. The primary reason for their more likely presence on those trees and branches with reduced or partial foliation is the resulting increase in available sunlight. The bark of a healthy tree continues to expand and slough off with the growth of the tree. The bark of an older or stressed tree may become more brittle with more cracks and uneven surfaces permitting lichens to attach themselves more readily. As bark ages, it changes in chemistry, texture, and ability to retain water, thereby influencing the type of lichen capable of living there.

Hmmm... I think I said that....

Fast growing trees' bark is expanding effectively pushing the mosses and lichens off. So their presence does indicate some sort of failure to thrive.

Somewhere above was recommended that jasontaylor7 do a little literature research. I heartily second that remark, as there are comments flying around here that do not advance knowledge of this situation. I will make the next pull on the old saw: POST MORE PICTURES!!!

I will also offer a source of more information ( https://njaes.rutgers.edu/fs12.... ) from which I've lifted - as it appears stone has done - these pearls...added emphasis mine.

Lichens are often found on tree trunks, branches and twigs as the bark provides a stable place to reside to collect needed sunlight, rainwater and materials from the air. They grow on healthy trees, as well as stressed or otherwise unhealthy ones. The appearance of colorful organisms growing on the bark of trees or shrubs in the landscape sometimes causes concern for the homeowner. Homeowners may find lichens mysterious and incorrectly associate them as the cause of plant diseases or misidentify them as a type of moss.

I will commend those who note that ample moisture and sunlight are necessary for healthy lichens - but that set of conditions is available around many many many healthy trees. Note that occurrence of lichens is considered an indication of good air quality.

I will also draw this comparison. Presence of lichens on poor growing or stressed trees equalling the cause of the tree's problems is no more likely than the presence of dirt, dust, and leaves on a car parked out on the back forty equalling the reason the car hasn't run in a good while.

Now, I will do my part to add to the observational guessing game based on a single narrowly focused photograph and a smidgen of information about species and location. This is mostly merrymaking, but with a point.

>>>Your tree has lichens because you live in Maryland - and Kensington at that! (Note: Kensington is bounded by Rock Creek, and is a relative stones throw from the Potomac River basin. Hint hint...)

>>>Your tree has lichens because your name is Jason T. (Note: I have a co-worker whose name is ALSO Jason T. who has many trees with lichens on them - and lives in the Ohio River valley. Hint hint...)

>>>Your tree has lichens because the sun comes up in the east, and sets in the west, and it rains in Kensington (mainly in the Rock Creek plai - ain...).

>>>You noted:

Still, some of the branches that fall down seem extremely fragile and crumbly.

Those are DEAD branches, and seemingly already partially decomposed while still attached to the tree. The presence of lichens is not an indication of causation. The lichens could have started growing on that branch AFTER the tree stopped supplying water/nutrients to that branch, and were mere hangers-on as the appendage finally dropped. Larger trees shed interior branches all the time, as their crown/canopy increases and the interior branches are no longer "holding their own" or "carrying their weight" because of decreased ability to photosynthesize adequately.

I could go on - and have done so many times in the past, so don't think you are being singled out. This is the basis for many of us requesting more information beyond one picture. I suspect you have a typical street (boulevard) tree (Red Maple), with all the normal expected vagaries of life experience living it up in the metroplex of greater Washington DC. There could be triggering conditions or events that might indicate malady, but we can't know or offer proper advice without you providing images or extended narrative.

Molybdenum! Makes me want to do a site search to see if that has ever been suggested as a solution. In the meantime, read this (https://www.bnl.gov/newsroom/n... ) and use your leaves as compost...