Many trees have smooth barked trunks when young, only developing thick and gnarly bark as they age. These trunks provide ideal habitat for a few very common lichens which are relatively easy to recognise. As with all lichens, a hand-lens makes identification easier, but isn't essential.
Lecanora chlarotera
A very common lichen on smooth-barked trees, such as young Ash. Usually found growing together with Lecidella elaeochroma and Arthonia radiata.
ID: Pale grey with pale brown fruits
Lecidella elaeochroma
Very common on smooth bark, usually found growing with Lecanora chlarotera.
ID: Pale green with round, jet black fruits
Arthonia radiata
Though common and often found with Lecanora chlarotera and Lecidella elaeochroma, it is harder to spot as it is smaller and pale.
ID: Grey with black, squiggly fruits
Xanthoria parietina
Perhaps the most common lichen - found nearly everywhere! It likes nutrient-rich habitats so often seen covering bushes where birds roost.
ID: Yellow (greener when wet) rosettes, usually with many orange fruits.
Script Lichen - Graphis scripta sensu lato
This lichen has made a come-back as air quality has improved and can now be found quite frequently on smooth-barked tree trunks - particularly on young Ash. Recently it has been realised that there are four closely related Graphis species but these need microscopy to tell them apart but NatureSpot welcomes records for the group (sensu lato).
ID: Whitish grey thallus with worm-shaped black 'fruits'.
