Most elders Sambucus nigra growing in hedgerows never achieve much more than large shrub-size and are usually short-lived, but when this species does have space to grow it can become quite a handsome tree, with deeply fissured bark on its trunk. This individual (double-click for a larger image) grows beside the road between the Derwent reservoir and Blanchland and like many mature elders it's playing host to a dense covering of lichens on its branches and twigs, that look very attractive in the spring sunlight.
The yellow lichen is a Xanthoria species - probably Xanthoria polycarpa - that forms a dense covering on most of the older elder twigs.
Elder seems to be favoured host for this lichen - most trees seem to have some and many are smothered in it. I wonder what it is about elder bark that that makes it a favoured host?
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What a fantastic tree Phil. I'm not too clever with my trees but will keep an eye out and try to spot more Elder in future. I do love trees covered in Lichen and Fungi, nice to put names to some of them. Can you recommend a site for Lichen I.D.?
ReplyDeleteCheers John
Hi John, it look terrific this morning when I rounded the bend in the road and saw it lit up with morning sunshine. There's a useful Natural History Museum introductory interactive key at http://www.nhm.ac.uk/jdsml/nature-online/lichen-id-guide/index.dsml that's helpful for the common species. The best book is probably Frank S. Dobson's Lichens: An illustrated guide to the British and Irish species, which has them all in, illustrated in colour. It's expensive (£34) on Amazon but worth having a look at at the library maybe...chers, Phil
ReplyDeleteThese lichens do look spectacular in the sunshine at this time of year. Roadside works of art.
ReplyDeleteYou have such interesting posts here. I'm glad I found your blog and I shall be featuring it at my side bar for the week of Mar 15-20. Keep up the good work.
ReplyDeleteIt must have been a stunning sight to see it lit up in the sunshine. In the first photograph it reminds me of a piece of sea coral..... albeit a large one!
ReplyDeleteThere is a fine looking Elder in Scotch gyll woods at Morpeth covered in that Lichen which on a sunny day makes the tree stand out. I always wondered what the species of Lichen is. Thanks for the wonderful post.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this Phil! We have a red elderberry (Sambucus racemosa)here in Washington State, but I've never seen anything like the tree you showcase here. The Xanthoria growing on it are spectacular! I did find an interesting reference(*) with brief mention that Sambucus bark is high in nutrients and has a particularly high ph making it an attractive growing surface for epiphytes. Perhaps this partially answers your question?
ReplyDelete*Bacidia adastra, B. brandii and B. neosquamulosa found in North-
Eastern Poland. 2004. Kubiak, D and L. B. Sparrius.GRAPHIS SCRIPTA, 16, pg 61-64.
Hi Keith, It probably looks equally fine when it's in flower and in fruit ... must remember to go back at the right time of year..
ReplyDeleteHi Autumn Belle, thanks for the kind comments. I've really enjoyed visiting your blog - it must be great to have a garden in a place where you don't have to worry about frosts..
ReplyDeleteHi Lesley, yes, I think it's one of the most lichen-encrusted trees I've ever seen.
ReplyDeleteThanks Nigel, dying elder trees are often host to jelly ear fungus too - seems like they attract hangers-on!
ReplyDeleteHi Lalita, Thanks for digging out that reference for me - I'll check it out. Most kind. I've seen Sambucus racemosa growing in Scotland and there's one that I know of growing here in County Durham, but it's not large enough to have acquired much of an epiphytic flora. Really enjoyed your post on the crocus floral pigments - they are just coming into bloom in my garden now.
ReplyDeleteThe Xanthoria looks like Xanthoria parietina to me. It's one of the most common lichens on both trees and rocks.
ReplyDeleteYou may well be right Stuart - next time I'm passing I'll collect a sample and heck it out...
ReplyDelete