What is this growing on all of my bushes and trees?

[Gumpisan]

Hi, My property is located near Pensacola Florida. Ever since Hurricane Sally, there has been something growing and consuming all of our trees and bushes. It is growing on Oak trees, Tallow trees, Magnolia trees and even Blueberry bushes. Can you please identify it and tell us if we can do anything to stop it. Thank you!

>
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[rusticretreater]

That is lichen.

https://www.bladenjournal.com/news/agriculture/17004/lichen-cute-and-fuzzy-but-also-a-serious-problem

If you absolutely must remove lichen, spray your branches with a gentle soapy solution. After wetting the lichen, you can use a natural-bristle scrub brush and gently exfoliate the lichen off. Don't scrub hard, especially on young, thin bark. You can wash off the residue with a stream of water from your garden hose.

TREATMENT ON TREES In late autumn and winter you can use Lime Sulphur to remove lichen on deciduous trees only. Do not use it on evergreens, as they will defoliate (lose their leaves) and will not recover. 

[barbender]

Is it mistletoe?

[Gumpisan]

Thank you for the information!! Would it be safe to use the " Lime Sulphur" solution on Oak and Magnolia trees because they don't lose their leaves?

[barbender]

I really don't know, I'm not even sure what it is. It does look like the mistletoe we have up here, and I know there is a different variety in the South. 

Someone with more knowledge of your area will be along. @caveman 

[barbender]

Sorry RR, I completely overlooked your post. It does look like the stuff in the article you linked.

[Ianab]

I wouldn't be too worried about lichen, it's not feeding on the trees or really harming them. Here in my part of NZ is will grow on anything that's not moving. Rocks, fences, cars etc.

If it's only appeared after the storm it's possible that more light is getting into the area, due to missing / damaged trees? That type seems to need some direct sun to grow, a more shaded spot will tend to grow mosses etc. It is often seen on dead / dying trees, but again I think that's due to more light reaching lower branches, not the lichen killing the tree. 

So just be careful you don't kill the trees trying to remove it. 

[rusticretreater]

Thank you for the information!! Would it be safe to use the " Lime Sulphur" solution on Oak and Magnolia trees because they don't lose their leaves?

You have to be careful with Magnolia trees as there are both deciduous and evergreen varieties. how can you know if it is one of the deciduous magnolia varieties? If the plant is just showing flowers but the leaves have not yet unfurled, it is a deciduous form.  You can try using a tree ID app to help you out.

There are some oak trees labeled evergreen, but if the tree drops its leaves in the fall it is ok to use the lime sulphur on it.

[KEC]

Likely some kind of Usnea.

[caveman]

Looks like lichens to me.  It should not cause any harm to your trees.