Front cover image: Avenue of lichen-covered wayside trees in Perthshire © Plantlife Design: rjpdesign.co.uk 24433_HabitatLeaflet_ascophyllum leaflet18/03/201016:46Page3 Back from the Brink the from Back bryophytes and fungi and bryophytes lichens, for habitats open Scotland’s in trees Managing Management Series Management 24433_HabitatLeaflet_ascophyllum leaflet 18/03/2010 16:46 Page 2 24433_HabitatLeaflet_ascophyllum leaflet 18/03/2010 16:46 Page 1

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This booklet will help land managers and conservationists who manage parkland and trees in open habitats. These trees are not only part of our well-loved natural and cultural heritage but provide important habitat for many organisms, including threatened species of international importance. This booklet explores the ecology of lichens, bryophytes and fungi that grow on these trees. It looks at threats to their survival and outlines management recommendations to encourage and conserve these special communities.

Plantlife is the organisation that is Wild plants have been marginalised and speaking up for the nation’s wild plants. taken for granted for too long. We work hard to protect wild plants on the Please help us by supporting our work. ground and to build understanding of the vital role they play in everyone’s lives. Wild To find out more, please visit our website or plants are essential to life – they clean our contact us at the office below. air and water, provide food and shelter for our insects, birds and animals and are critical in Plantlife Scotland the fight against climate change. Balallan House Allan Park Plantlife carries out practical conservation Stirling work across Scotland, manages nature FK8 2QG reserves, influences policy and legislation, runs Tel. 01786 478509/01786 479382 events and activities that help people discover wild plants and works with others to promote www.plantlife.org.uk the conservation of wild plants for the benefit of all. HRH The Prince of Wales is our Patron. [email protected]

ᮤ Lichens and moss cushions on Rowan, Whitelee, South Lanarkshire © John Douglass

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Avenue of lichen-covered wayside trees in Perthshire © Plantlife

Summary of management recommendations for trees of open habitat More detail is provided later on page 17

● Maintain the number of mature and ● Explore alternative options to felling if veteran trees health and safety issues demand action ● Ensure future habitat continuity and a ● Consider using Tree Preservation Orders good age structure ● Consider the cultural and historical ● Where natural tree regeneration is not importance of veteran trees when planning possible, plant new trees from local native management intervention of any kind stock ● Avoid spreading fertiliser, slurry, pesticide ● Maintain high levels of native trees such as or herbicide within the vicinity of oak and ash in proportion to non-natives important trees, to prevent drift ● Maintain grazing at a sustainable level ● Where arable farming or ploughing and ● Control invasive non-native scrub reseeding cannot be avoided, leave a buffer ● Continue any existing pollarding where zone of 5m beyond the edge of the canopy appropriate ● Take measures to reduce access where ● Leave standing and lying dead wood in situ heavy use has compacted the soil above wherever possible the root plate ● Control levels of timber collection for ● Prevent and control fly tipping, littering firewood and fires in the vicinity of target trees ● Where conditions are not naturally damp, ● Seek specialist advice from lichenologists, allow vegetation to grow up immediately bryologists and mycologists if there is a around fallen dead wood to maintain proposed change in the management of an humidity important site ● Avoid sudden or dramatic changes in shade ● If you are aware of the presence of and humidity by carrying out work such as biodiverse trees of open habitat on your branch lopping of clear felling in adjacent land, ensure that any contractors and land areas in a gradual manner, perhaps over managers are made aware of their several years where important importance and vulnerability communities of lower plants and fungi are ● Ensure regular access for monitoring is already established maintained 2 24433_HabitatLeaflet_ascophyllum leaflet 18/03/2010 16:46 Page 3

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What do we mean by open habitat? designed landscape. A few parks date from Trees of open habitats are defined here as trees medieval times when sections of ancient in open wood-pasture, waysides, parklands, forest were fenced into deer-parks, but most farmland, churchyards, orchards and gardens, parks date from the eighteenth and where sunlight is plentiful. The lichen, nineteenth centuries. Wood-pasture and bryophyte and fungi communities associated parkland habitats exhibit a mosaic of with trees in these open habitats are often well grassland with large, open-canopied, developed and include rare and endangered spreading trees, that are isolated or in small species of international importance. groups and often associated with large amounts of fallen or standing dead wood. Wood-pasture and parkland Some of the best examples of old wood In Scotland, wood-pasture developed over pasture and parkland in Scotland can be time through the use of natural woodland as seen at Dalkeith Oakwood, Cadzow Oaks, pasture, and where animal grazing limited Glenlee Park, Taymouth Castle, Glen Finglas, woodland regeneration. In contrast, Rassal Ashwood, The Nest, Gannochy and parkland is usually part of a more recent Drummond Lochs.

Cadzow Oaks, Hamilton High Parks SSSI, an example of a medieval hunting park © John Douglass

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Orchards Factors that affect bryophytes, lichens Old orchards can be good refuges for epiphytes and fungi of trees in open habitats and fungi, as the trees have not been subjected to biocides or high levels of fertilisers. Orchard Geographical distribution: trees are often pruned regularly, which The oceanic climate of western Britain is milder increases their lifespan and creates particular and wetter than the east. This influences veteran tree niche habitats ideal for some epiphytic and fungal community types. bryophytes (mosses, liverworts and hornworts), lichens or fungi. Orchards are often associated Underlying rocks and soils: with large estates near urban centres, such as The geology of an area will affect the those in the Clyde Valley. bryophyte, fungi and lichen communities by affecting both tree bark chemistry (see Wayside trees below) and drainage. Sites with poor Some wayside trees may be remnants from drainage and high humidity often support ancient forests while others were planted for good epiphytic and fungal communities. shelter-belts, pollards and timber production. These trees are either isolated individuals or Tree species: grow in small groups, rows or avenues. They Native deciduous trees including Ash, Oak, Elm provide predominantly well-lit, relatively and Field Maple normally provide the best open habitats for lower plants and fungi and habitats for bryophytes, lichens and fungi but are found: some exotic conifers, for example, larch, can support relatively luxuriant communities of ● by roads, tracks or paths lichens even though their species diversity ● along rivers and stream edges may be low. Exotic broadleaved plantings such ● in hedgerows or fields as Sycamore, Horse Chestnut, Lime, Tulip-tree, ● beside buildings or gates and Walnut can also support interest. ● in streets and gardens ● in churchyards Natural bark pH: Tree species naturally differ in bark pH, Wayside Ash at Whitelee, south of Glasgow which in turn influences the communities © John Douglass they can support. Bark pH will also vary according to levels and type of atmospheric pollution. Most bark is to some extent acidic. Conifer bark tends to be more acid than deciduous bark. pH 1 is highly acidic, pH 7 is neutral and pH 14 is highly alkaline.

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Fallen logs, stumps and branches forming an important habitat for lichens, bryophytes and fungi in Dalkeith Oakwood SSSI, Lothian © John Douglass

Table 1. Selected tree species and their high number of each of these niches is relative bark pH. available, the epiphytic and fungal diversity is likely to be high. Tree species Bark pH Pine 3.4 - 3.8 Growth form: Birch 3.2 - 5 The trunks and branches of trees in open Oak 3.8 – 5.7 habitats provide relatively stable, well-lit Ash 5.2 – 6.6 niches with differing exposures to wind and Elm 4.7 – 7.1 rain. Water seepage zones often contrast Taken from Orange (1994) with dry bark crevices and fissures. The smooth, young bark of twigs and small Ecological continuity: branches can differ greatly in their texture If ancient or veteran trees are present, they and therefore their moisture holding may be remnants of ancient woodland and capacity, and even their pH when compared are therefore more likely to support rare and with the main trunk. Different epiphytic and diverse epiphytic and fungal species. fungal communities will occupy these different niches. Dead wood: Dead wood in the form of snags (attached, Threats: dead wood and decorticate branches), Trees of open habitat are susceptible to a exposed lignum of standing trunks, fallen number of threats including pollution and branches and trunks or old stumps provide over-grazing. For more detail please see important habitats for many species. If a page 15.

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Lichen communities of trees in open habitats Trees of open habitats provide a unique environment for a range of lichens that thrive on relatively high levels of light and lower levels of humidity than is found in damp shaded woodland.

The Lobarion lichen community of large leafy lichens including Lobaria, Nephroma Textured Lungwort (Lobaria scrobiculata), a and Pannaria species is best developed in species found in ancient wood pasture and north-western Scotland in ancient wood parkland in north western Scotland pasture and parks. See Plantlife Lichens of Atlantic Woodland guide 1 for help with identification.

The drier climate of eastern Scotland suits the Calicion lichen community of Pin-head lichens, as dry dead wood rots slower in the east than the west, allowing more time for this community to develop. The Calicion community is often found in dry crevices, fissures and sheltered overhangs on dead wood and bark of mature and ancient trees. See Plantlife’s Lichens of Scottish pinewoods guide 2 for some extra information.

Old stumps, snags and dead wood in the east Pin-head Lichen (Calicium viride) (x20 and west can support communities of magnification) found in dry crevices and sheltered Matchstick and Pixie-cup (Cladonia) species bark of trees in open habitats together with Dog-tooth (Peltigera) lichens.

The Xanthorion community with the characteristic yellow Xanthoria and grey Physcia species occurs on nutrient enriched bark in well-lit situations. This community contains a number of rare species including Anaptychia ciliaris subs. ciliaris and the

ᮤ Sea-storm Lichen (Cetrelia olivetorum), a leafy lichen of broadleaved trees along burns and rivers, mainly in the west 24433_HabitatLeaflet_ascophyllum leaflet 18/03/2010 16:46 Page 7

Powdery Sunburst Lichen (Xanthoria ulophyllodes). Common species of the Xanthorion community are increasing their range through the widespread application of nitrogen based fertilisers. However, when conditions become hyper-eutrophic even the Xanthorion community dies off and green algae can dominate the bark. Species from acid bark communities which require non- nutrient enriched substrates such as Hypogymnia species, are now in marked The ‘Matchstick’ Lichen (Cladonia floerkeana) decline in nutrient enriched areas. growing on a fallen log

Wall Lichen (Xanthoria parietina) and Fringed Monk’s Hood Lichen (Hypogymnia physodes) –a Rosette Lichen (Physcia tenella), members of the species of acid barked trees and now in decline in Xanthorion community of nutrient enriched bark nutrient enriched areas All images on this spread © John Douglass

Green algae indicating nutrient enrichment. 24433_HabitatLeaflet_ascophyllum leaflet 18/03/2010 16:46 Page 8

Typical lichen trunk community of broadleaved trees in open habitats including the crustose species Bitter Wart Lichen (Pertusaria amara), Pertusaria albescens and the fruticose species Oakmoss Lichen (Evernia prunastri) and Dotted Ramalina (Ramalina farinacea)

Other common lichens occurring on trees in open habitats include crustose Lecanora, Lecidella and Pertusaria species; leafy Melanelixia, Melanohalea, Parmelia and Physconia species and shrubby Evernia, Ramalina and Usnea species all of which are found throughout Scotland.

The crustose Orange Fruited Elm Lichen (Caloplaca luteoalba) and Sap-groove Lichen (Bacidia incompta) together with the leafy Pleurosticta acetabulum are now rare, owing Melanohalea exasperata occurs on twigs and to the loss of their main host tree, the Elm, to branches of broadleaved trees in open habitats Dutch Elm Disease in many areas. These mostly in western Scotland species survive in much reduced numbers on remaining Elms and on Sycamore, Field Maple and Ash.

ᮤ Ramalina calicaris is a shrubby species of trees in open habitats, often near the coast All images on this spread © John Douglass

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Hammered Shield Lichen (Parmelia sulcata) a The Pepper Pot Lichen (Pertusaria pertusa) a common leafy lichen of open habitats common crustose lichen of open habitats

A large colony of Orange Fruited Elm Lichen (Caloplaca luteoalba) mostly on the exposed Physconia distorta is a common leafy lichen of lignum of a damaged wayside Sycamore. These open habitats damaged trees may be targeted for removal by local councils if they are considered unsafe

Orange Fruited Elm Lichen (Caloplaca luteoalba) Pleurosticta acetabulum is a rare leafy species of is a UKBAP species that has suffered a marked wayside and parkland trees in eastern and decline due to the death of Elm trees through central Scotland Dutch Elm Disease

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Bryophyte communities of trees In the drier conditions further east in in open habitats Scotland, similar communities occur but they Bryophytes are common on parkland and are usually less luxuriant and may include wayside trees in Scotland, often with a great other species. Again it is the trees with more luxuriance in the oceanic west but a greater basic bark that support much more diverse diversity in the drier east. In the west, much communities. Two fine epiphytes more of the bryophyte cover on acid-barked trees frequent in the east are Pendulous Wing- will be of common woodland species like moss (Antitrichia curtipendula) and Squirrel- Dilated Scalewort (Frullania dilatata), tail Moss (Leucodon sciuroides) which can Tamarisk Scalewort (Frullania tamarisci), festoon trunk and limbs on Ash, Elm and Cypress-leaved Plait-moss (Hypnum Sycamore. There is also a greater variety of cupressiforme), Slender Mouse-tail Moss cushion forming mosses with Lyell’s Bristle- (Isothecium myosuroides var.myosuroides) moss (Orthotrichum lyellii), Straw Bristle- and Broom Fork-moss (Dicranum scoparium). moss (Orthotrichum stramineum), Elegant On the trees with less acidic bark the variety Bristle-moss (Orthotrichum pulchellum), of species increases, often with the addition Syntrichia laevipila and Syntrichia papillosa of carpets of Silky Wall Feather-moss all locally common and the nationally scarce (Homalothecium sericeum) and Larger Showy Bristle-moss (Orthotrichum Mouse-tail Moss (Isothecium alopecuroides) speciosum) can be frequent, particularly on on trunk and branches, and cushions of Aspen. In this more ‘continental’ climate, Pincushion mosses (Ulota spp), Yoke mosses some rare species also occur with records for (Zygodon spp.), Wood Bristle-moss Blunt-leaved Bristle-moss (Orthotrichum (Orthotrichum affine) and Smooth Bristle- obtusifolium), Aspen Bristle-moss moss (Orthotrichum striatum). This more (Orthotrichum gymnostomum), which is only diverse community is usually limited to a few found on Aspen, Pale Bristle-moss trees and in the most oceanic areas the more (Orthotrichum pallens), Dwarf Bristle-moss common species tend to prevail, giving a (Orthotrichum pumilum) and the tiny, mat- robust but not very diverse flora. forming Lesser Squirrel-tail Moss (Habrodon

Squirrel-tail Moss (Leucodon sciuroides), a Dilated Scalewort (Frullania dilatata), a common handsome and robust moss of base-rich bark in epiphytic liverwort the east

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Blunt-leaved Bristle-moss (Orthotrichum Ulota bruchii, a common epiphytic moss obtusifolium), a rare moss with a handful of sites in parkland in eastern Scotland

perpusillus), all of which are UKBAP species. a lot of small cushions of mosses scattered It is likely that some, if not all of these rarer over much of the trunk, it is probable that the species, are under-recorded in this neglected tree will have at least a local importance. habitat but all are of conservation concern, particularly since habitat loss, especially the Old Sycamore at Leith Hall with Blunt-leaved demise of the Elms, has removed so many Bristle-moss (Orthotrichum obtusifolium) host trees. If parkland or wayside trees have All images this spread © Gordon Rothero

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Fungal communities of trees in slowly because many of the more common open habitats fungi wood rotters are not able to function. Much of what we know about the distribution This may leave the way open for slow growing, and ecology of fungi is based on observations non-competitive species that can function in of the fruiting bodies only. Fruiting bodies the difficult conditions of dry heartwood. produce spores and are the means by which fungi reproduce sexually. Knowing where and Oak Polypore (Piptoporus quercinus), with why these organisms fruit is important, for only one known site in Scotland in Dumfries example in understanding how the fungi & Galloway, grows exclusively on the dead might respond and adapt to management wood of either living or dead standing practices and to predicted climate changes. veteran Oak trees, causing a brown rot. The mycelium does not, however, always fruit Research suggests that this is a slow growing regularly and there will undoubtedly be species that is not particularly competitive surprises ahead with regard to fungal with other wood decomposing fungi and distribution and ecology as modern molecular which thrives in the low pH of oak heartwood. studies begin to survey mycelia more closely. Oak Polypore fruits in early summer between June and August. Records of this species Alongside species that are a part of a broader would be very welcome (please see contact woodland mycota, there are some fungi that information on page 20). are so far only known to fruit on, or in association with, the trees of open habitats in Chicken Of The Woods (Laetiporus Scotland. This preference may be connected sulphurous) is a species commonly found on with the age that these trees often achieve; veteran oaks, but also on a range of other veteran trees are a reflection of long term tree species. It is another heart rotting ecological continuity and it seems that some species and young fruit bodies could be fungi need this before they are able to develop confused with the Oak Polypore. fully. It may also be connected to the open nature of this habitat where for instance, dead Mature Ash trees can often be seen with the wood becomes much drier than in a more large and coarsely hairy-topped brackets of the enclosed woodland situation. Dry wood decays Shaggy Bracket (Inonotus hispidus), usually

Chicken Of The Woods (Laetiporus sulphureus) Shaggy Bracket (Inonotus hispidus) © Nev Kilkenny © Nev Kilkenny

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Oak Polypore (Piptoporus quercinus) © Stuart Skeates

growing high up on the trunk. This fungus can brackets are very distinctive and provide an cause the death of healthy sapwood, causing important habitat for invertebrates. cavity rot and, in some circumstances, the failure of the branch or trunk. Old orchards provide a habitat where, because of traditional management, apple trees have Dryad’s Saddle (Polyporus squamosus) is been able to reach a considerable age. Where another large and distinctive bracket that occurs on several hosts, but often on Dryad’s Saddle (Polyporus squamosus) Sycamore. Its yellowish brown, scaly-topped © Nev Kilkenny

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Orchard Toothcrust (Sarcodontia crocea) © Malcolm Storey

these trees are allowed to develop knotholes withstand wind throw – a hollow tube being or hollow limbs, Orchard Toothcrust more resilient than a solid one. In addition, (Sarcodontia crocea) will sometimes fruit. It is fungal decay in different parts of the tree a particularly distinctive encrusting fungus creates a range of niche habitats that are used with its bright colour, waxy teeth and a by other organisms including some lichens, strong, sweet smell. bryophytes, invertebrates, birds and mammals.

The presence of wood rotting fungi is not Most of the trees in this habitat will be necessarily a sign of ill health in a tree. The growing with a symbiotic (mycorrhizal) fungal hollowing out of the already dead heartwood partner linking onto their roots and can actually make a tree more able to exchanging nutrients in a manner beneficial to both organisms. These fungi fruit in the Rooting Bolete (Boletus radicans) © Liz Holden surrounding soil rather than on the wood itself.

Rooting Bolete (Boletus radicans) is considered to be a fungus of parklands, usually with well- drained, rather calcareous soils and growing with Oak, Beech and Lime. Typical of warmer sites, this species was unknown in Scotland until 2004, but has now been found at two roadside locations with mature Oak. This species is definitely one to look out for.

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Threats to lichens, bryophytes and ● Acid rain from sulphur dioxide and nitrous fungi of trees in open habitats oxide pollution continuing to change bark pH, affecting epiphytic communities. Tree and woodland management Acid rain, where it falls, makes tree bark ● Fragmentation, and even complete loss of more acidic, and can destroy rich epiphytic habitat, caused by a lack of tree communities. This is now less of a threat regeneration and replacement as power stations ‘scrub out’ these oxides ● Over-zealous felling and removal of host at source, but many parkland epiphytic trees and fungal communities have suffered ● Clear felling, which dramatically reduces from high levels of pollution in the past humidity levels and remain impoverished. ● Invasion by non-native shrubs and trees ● Use of chemical herbicides and pesticides including Rhododendron ponticum and around the host tree Laurel ● Eutrophication from fertilisers, slurry and ● Removal of dead wood from either the animal faeces, dust particles and mud which standing tree or the ground limit the range of species which can survive ● Tree diseases such as Dutch Elm Disease, More than 20% cover of algal growth on trees Ash canker, or Oak and Alder die-back is an indication of hyper-eutrophication. ● Lack of awareness amongst land managers ● Deep ploughing and re-seeding, which can and conservation staff of the habitat damage tree roots, mycorrhizal fungi and requirements, ecology and identification affect local humidity levels of lichens, bryophytes and fungi ● Compaction of soil by cattle or machinery, which can affect the ability of the trees Land management, farming and pollution roots to uptake water and damage ● Damage or loss of trees from works mycorrhizal associations including road expansion projects, ● Inappropriate changes to site drainage. ditching, paving, lawn mowing, strimming, building or vandalism Slurry spraying increases nutrient levels in the local vicinity favouring the yellow Xanthorion lichen community. © Alan Bannister

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Ivy on wayside trees will kill off lichen What you can do to find out more about and bryophyte interest by shading out lichens, bryophytes or fungi on trees in light. © John Douglass open habitats that you manage

Threats related specifically to grazing: ● Photograph the species present and write ● Regenerating shrubs, trees and/or ivy a description of your observations, through lack or loss of grazing will habitat, and grid reference and contact increase humidity and can shade out Plantlife or a specialist for further epiphytic species if a closed canopy assistance. If the species cannot be woodland is allowed to develop. identified this way, a small amount of ● Bark rubbing by grazing animals can collecting may be necessary. Collection dislodge epiphytes and fungal fruit bodies. of species of conservation concern should However bark with seepage tracks and be kept to the minimum necessary to exposed lignum, produced by some bark establish identification. Collection of any rubbing, can also be ideal habitat for the species listed on Schedule 8 of the rare lichens Caloplaca luteoalba (Orange Wildlife & Countryside Act (1981) e.g. Oak Fruited Elm Lichen), Caloplaca ulcerosa Polypore (Piptoporus quercinus) will and Sap-groove Lichen (Bacidia incompta). require a government licence. ● Excessive grazing, which prevents natural ● Use your observations to assess the trees regeneration of host trees nearby. for the diversity of the epiphytes and fungi associated with them. For more information

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go to www.plantlife.org.uk. If you think including Rhododendron ponticum and you have an interesting and rich Snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus), which community, contact Plantlife or a specialist can shade tree boles. Suitable techniques consultant. can be indentified in Long and Williams ● Refer to the management guidelines below (2007). if interventions are proposed for the site. ● Continue any existing pollarding, where ● Pass on any records of the species to appropriate, and as long as the trees in Plantlife and your local Scottish Natural question can sustain such management. Heritage office. If in doubt seek specialist advice, for example by contacting your local Scottish How you can help the lichens, Natural Heritage office. bryophytes and fungi of trees in open ● Leave standing and lying dead wood in habitats situ wherever possible. There are many techniques discussed in the literature that ● Maintain the number of mature and can enhance the attractiveness of dead veteran trees. wood for target species (e.g. Humphrey et ● Ensure future habitat continuity and a al, 2002 and Read, 2000). Which of these good age structure by enabling some would be appropriate in particular natural regeneration of native trees; only situations will depend on location and tree small numbers of seedlings every decade species present. If in doubt, seek are required to achieve a diverse, long specialist advice as above. term age structure. ● Control levels of timber collection for ● Where natural tree regeneration is not firewood, both in terms of felling for this possible, plant new trees from local native purpose as well as the collection of dead stock such as Oak, Ash and Field Maple. wood. Provide adequate protection from grazing ● Where conditions are not naturally damp, for new planting. Only small numbers need allow vegetation to grow up immediately to be planted so fencing costs need not be around fallen dead wood to maintain onerous. A canopy cover of between 20% humidity. to a maximum of 50% is desirable. ● Avoid sudden or dramatic changes in ● Maintain high levels of native trees such as shade and humidity by carrying out work, Oak and Ash in proportion to non-natives. such as branch lopping or clear felling in ● Maintain grazing at a sustainable level - adjacent areas, in a gradual manner, low enough to reduce negative effects perhaps over several years, where such as trunk abrasion and ground important communities of lower plants poaching and to allow for some and fungi are already established. This regeneration of the host trees nearby, but includes work to control invasive trees and high enough to prevent excessive tree scrub and removing trees that are infilling regeneration and the development of wood pasture. closed canopy woodland. ● Explore alternative options to felling if ● Control invasive non-native scrub, health and safety issues demand action.

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For example, if a limb has become avoid damage to tree roots and their unstable, its removal can be just as mycorrhizal fungal associates. effective as felling the entire tree, and the ● Take measures to reduce access where habitat remains intact. heavy use has compacted the soil above ● Consider using Tree Preservation Orders, the root plate. This could include fencing where they are not already in place as a and mulching of affected areas. means of protecting trees from being felled. ● Prevent and control fly tipping, littering ● Consider the cultural and historical and fires in the vicinity of target trees. importance of veteran trees when planning ● Specialist advice from lichenologists, management intervention of any kind. bryologists and mycologists should be ● Avoid spreading fertiliser, slurry, pesticide sought if there is a proposed change in or herbicide within the vicinity of the management of an important site. important trees, to prevent drift. Trunks, ● If you are aware of the presence of these branches and twigs should not carry more species on your land, ensure that any than 20% cover of algal growth, which is contractors and land managers are made an indication of hyper-eutrophication. aware of their importance and vulnerability. ● Where arable farming or ploughing and ● Ensure regular access for monitoring is reseeding cannot be avoided, leave a maintained. Remember Plantlife’s Flora buffer zone of 5m beyond the edge of the Guardian programme could be used to canopy (Read 2000). This will help to conduct regular monitoring.

Corral protecting several oak recruits, Dalkeith Oakwood SSSI, Lothian © John Douglass

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This leaflet was written for Plantlife Scotland by lichenologist John Douglass, Lonsdale, D. (1999) Principles of tree hazard bryologist Gordon Rothero and assessment and management. No.7 Research mycologist Liz Holden. for amenity trees. TSO (The Stationery Office)

Orange, A. (1994). Lichens on Trees. A guide Recommended texts and references to some of the commoner species. British Plant Life, Number 3. National Museum of Church, J.M. Coppins B.J. Gilbert O.L, James Wales, Cardiff. P.W, Stewart N.F. (1996) Red Data Books of Britain and Ireland: Lichens, Volume 1: Plantlife (2008) Lichen guides. Lichens of Britain. JNCC. Atlantic Woodlands. Guide 1: Lichens on ash, hazel, willow rowan and old oak. Guide 2: Fletcher, A. (ed) (2001). Lichen Habitat Lichens on birch, alder and oak Plantlife, Management. British Lichen Society and Salisbury. Countryside Council for Wales. Chapter 6: Parkland lichens and management by F. Plantlife (2009) Lichen guides. Lichens of Rose; Chapter 7, Wayside trees, hedgerows Scottish Pinewoods. Guide 1: leafy and and shrubs by A.M. Coppins. scrubby lichens on pine, birch, alder and deadwood. Guide 2: Crustose and scaly Gilbert, O. (2000). Lichens. Collins New lichens on pine, birch and alder, and lichens Naturalist series. Harper Collins London. on trees with less acidic bark

Hansen, L. & Knudsen, H. (Editors) (1997) Read, H. (2000). Veteran Trees: a guide to Nordic Macromycetes Vol. 3 (Heterobasidioid, good management. English Nature, Aphyllophoroid and Gastromycetoid Peterborough. basidiomycetes) Nordsvamp. Spooner, B. & Roberts, P. (2005). Fungi. In Holl, K. (2002). Ancient Wood Pasture in New Naturalist Library, Collins. Scotland: Classification and Management Principles. Report Number F01AA108. Smith, C.W., Aptroot, A., Coppins, B.J., Scottish Natural Heritage. Fletcher, A., Gilbert, O.L., James, P.W. & Wolseley, P.A. (2009). The Lichen Flora of the Humphrey, J., Stevenson, A., Whitfiled, P. & Great Britain and Ireland Natural British Swailes, J. (2002) Life in the deadwood. Forest Lichen Society. Enterprise – Environment and Communications, Edinburgh Smout, T.C. & MacDonald, A.R. (2007). A History of the Native Woodlands in Scotland. Long, D., and Williams, J. (2007) Edinburgh University Press. Rhododendron ponticum: impact on lower plants and fungi communities on the west Stiven, R (2009) Management of ancient coast of Scotland. Plantlife. wood pasture. Forestry Commission Scotland. 19 24433_HabitatLeaflet_ascophyllum leaflet 18/03/2010 16:46 Page 20

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Stiven, S. & Holl, K. (2004). Wood Pasture. www.uklichens.co.uk The UK lichens Scottish Natural Heritage. website has useful photos of UK species.

Watling, R. & Hills, A.E. (2005). Boletes and www.tech.groups.yahoo.com/scottish_lich their allies. British Fungus Flora Vol. 1 revised enology/join. Scottish Lichenology yahoo and enlarged edition. Royal Botanic Garden group. This is a discussion group, which can Edinburgh. answer questions on all aspects of Lichenology. Websites www.nwdg.org.uk The Native Woodland www.bls.org.uk The British Lichen Society Discussion Group (NWDG) runs courses on (BLS) has information on all aspects of bryophytes, fungi and lichens. lichenology and includes details of other publications, courses and web links. Contacts for advice and further www.britishbryologicalsociety.org.uk The information British Bryological Society exists to promote the study of mosses and liverworts. With a For help with reporting or identifying lichens, full programme of events and publications bryophytes and fungi contact: there is something for everyone interested in learning about bryophytes. Plantlife Scotland Balallan House www.britmycolsoc.org.uk The British Allan Park Mycological Society has information on all Stirling aspects of mycology and can put you in FK8 2QG touch with local fungal recording groups. Tel. 01786 478509 / 01786 479382 www.field-studies-council.org/kindrogan [email protected] The Field Studies Council centre at Kindrogan www.plantlife.org.uk runs a range of relevant courses. Scottish Natural Heritage www.forestry.gov.uk For information on Dr. David Genney, Policy & Advice Officer – dealing with invasive non-native plant Bryophytes, Fungi and Lichens species see the Forestry Commission Practice [email protected] Guides for example ‘Managing and controlling invasive rhododendron’ by Colin Edwards (2006). ᮣ Dryad’s Saddle (Polyporus squamosus) www.ukbap.org.uk Habitat Action Plan for © Nev Kilkenny Lowland wood-pasture and parkland.

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21 24433_HabitatLeaflet_ascophyllum leaflet18/03/201016:46Page2 , (yellow streaks on trees), Castle Fraser Castle trees), on streaks(yellow candelaris, Chrysothrix British Lichen Society Lichen British Plantlife International – The Wild Plant Conservation Charity is a charitable company limited by guarantee.by limited company charitable a is Charity Conservation Plant Wild The – International Plantlife Registered Charity Number: 1059559 Registered Company Number: 3166339. Registered in England Registeredin 3166339. Number: RegisteredCompany 1059559 Number: RegisteredCharity Plantlife – speaking up for the nation’s wild plants wild nation’s the for up speaking – Plantlife Balallan House, Allan Park, Stirling FK8 2QG FK8 StirlingPark, Allan House, Balallan [email protected] ISBN 978-1-907141-15-7 © February© 2010 978-1-907141-15-7 ISBN Charity registered in Scotland no. SC038951 no. registeredScotland Charity in www.plantlife.org.uk Tel.478509 01786 Plantlife Scotland Plantlife © John Douglass John ©

Front cover image: Avenue of lichen-covered wayside trees in Perthshire © Plantlife Design: rjpdesign.co.uk