BACK
FROM THE
BRINK
MANAGEMENT
SERIES
Back from the Brink Management Series
The importance of wayside trees
Lichens and elm trees
Isolated trees along roadsides, by tracks and in pastures are collectively known as wayside trees.
Their well-lit trunks may be affected by nutrient enrichment from dung and dust particles, so the
lichen species found on these trees are very different from those found in ancient woodland.
In the absence of Elms, trees with a naturally alkaline bark (such as Ash, Maple and Sycamore)
are very important for many lichens including some that were formerly widespread on the old
Elms. Several of the former ‘Elm specialists’ often favour damaged trees, occurring around and
below old wounds and sap runs, or are found on hard lignum inside hollow trees.
How can we conserve these species?
Orange-fruited Elm-lichen (Caloplaca luteoalba)
Conserving and managing these veteran wayside trees will help to protect these and many other
uncommon and declining lichen species. Current threats to wayside tree lichens include the:
●
●
●
●
Continuing loss of old wayside trees through natural causes and their
non-replacement
Loss of trees along roadsides due to road improvement schemes
Increase of ammonia and nitrogen pollution occurring as a result of
intensive agriculture
Increase of Ivy on the trunks of hedgerow trees smothering the lichens that
grow on them
Elm specialists and many other lichens associated with wayside tree habitats can be conserved by:
●
●
●
●
Protecting trees supporting populations of Elm specialists through Tree
Preservation Orders
Liaising with landowners and managers of sites with important populations of
Elm specialists and other threatened wayside tree species
Ensuring good practice is used when managing habitats around and adjacent to
important trees
Developing agri-environment schemes to encourage tree planting in places
that have been highlighted as important for lichens that grow on wayside trees
Further advice and information on lichens associated with Elm trees
can be obtained from:
Plantlife International
14 Rollestone Street,
Salisbury,
Wiltshire
SP1 1DX
Tel: 01722 342730
Email: enquiries@plantlife.org.uk
The Conservation Officer
British Lichen Society
The Natural History Museum
Cromwell Road,
London
SW7 5BD
Email: b.edwards@dorset-cc.gov.uk
English Nature
Northminster House,
Northminster,
Peterborough,
PE1 1UA
Tel: 01733 455000
BRITISH LICHEN
SOCIETY
Text written by Bryan Edwards
Photographs by Bryan Edwards & The Natural History Museum
Plantlife International wishes to acknowledge the financial support of English Nature in this jointly
resourced project.
See also: Veteran Trees: A guide to good management. Helen Read. English Nature. 2000.
Elm map project: http://www.ramblers.org.uk/elms/default.htm
ISBN: 1 904749-06-2
DESIGN: RJP DESIGN 01234 315147
All the Elm lichen specialists survive, albeit in small quantities, on other trees such as Ash, Beech,
Field Maple, Horse Chestnut and Sycamore.They show a preference for veteran trees that are
often hollow or wounded, and are sometimes found on trees that receive no statutory protection.
Back from the Brink Management Series
Back from the Brink Management Series
The decline of Orange-fruited Elm-lichen (Caloplaca luteoalba)
Elm trees were once a familiar part of the countryside and cultural landscape
throughout the British Isles, with well grown trees often found in parklands, pastures
and along roadsides. In some parts of the country Wych Elm was also a major component of
our ancient woodlands.The main epidemic of Dutch Elm disease in the late 1960s and 1970s
killed an estimated 20 million trees.This dramatically changed the landscape of the British Isles,
but the effect on the flora associated with these trees has been less widely documented.
Collema fragrans
Anaptychia ciliaris
Why were Elm trees important for lichen?
Orange-fruited Elm-lichen was once widespread in central and south-eastern England and parts
of eastern Scotland and unlike many lichens, it is relatively rare in the western oceanic areas. It
is a characteristic species of old Elm trees in parklands, pastures and along roadsides,
sometimes found with other Elm specialists like Bacidia incompta and Collema fragrans, often
associated with wounds from cut branches. By the start of the Dutch elm disease epidemic it
had already declined through the loss of hedgerows and atmospheric pollution due to sulphur
dioxide, but between 1960 and 1980 it under went a dramatic decline.
Over 200 lichen species have been recorded growing on elms in Britain. Old Elm trees had a
rough, water retentive, naturally alkaline bark (pH 4 – 7), which lichens favour. Old elms often
grew in well-lit situations in open parkland, in pasture and along roadsides which were ideal for
the colourful and species-rich Xanthorion lichen community to develop.This community is
characterised by the presence of the bright yellow, leafy lichen Xanthoria parietina, along with grey
and brown species belonging to the Physcia family. In many areas of central, eastern and southern
England these species were joined by a number of ‘Elm specialists’ including:
●
●
●
●
●
●
Anaptychia ciliaris
Bacidia incompta
Caloplaca luteoalba
Collema fragrans
Cryptolechia carneolutea
Gyalecta flotowii
Eagle’s claws
Sap-groove lichen
Orange-fruited Elm-lichen
Clustered mini-jelly lichen
Shy cross-your-heart lichen
Pale crater lichen
Today, all these species are ‘Red Listed’, i.e. they have undergone a dramatic and significant decline,
and are now rare and threatened not just in the British Isles but also in parts of Europe. Bacidia
incompta and Caloplaca luteoalba are also Priority Species under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan.
Caloplaca luteoalba
Bacidia incompta
All records
Current sites
Current information indicates this species is no longer found on Elm in Wales and has been
recorded from only three trees since 2000 in England. In Scotland the species is doing rather
better although Dutch elm disease is progressing up the east side, threatening surviving Elms
and their associated lichens.
Sap-groove lichen
(Bacidia incompta)
Gyalecta flotowii
Cryptolechia carneolutea
Back from the Brink Management Series
Back from the Brink Management Series
The decline of Orange-fruited Elm-lichen (Caloplaca luteoalba)
Elm trees were once a familiar part of the countryside and cultural landscape
throughout the British Isles, with well grown trees often found in parklands, pastures
and along roadsides. In some parts of the country Wych Elm was also a major component of
our ancient woodlands.The main epidemic of Dutch Elm disease in the late 1960s and 1970s
killed an estimated 20 million trees.This dramatically changed the landscape of the British Isles,
but the effect on the flora associated with these trees has been less widely documented.
Collema fragrans
Anaptychia ciliaris
Why were Elm trees important for lichen?
Orange-fruited Elm-lichen was once widespread in central and south-eastern England and parts
of eastern Scotland and unlike many lichens, it is relatively rare in the western oceanic areas. It
is a characteristic species of old Elm trees in parklands, pastures and along roadsides,
sometimes found with other Elm specialists like Bacidia incompta and Collema fragrans, often
associated with wounds from cut branches. By the start of the Dutch elm disease epidemic it
had already declined through the loss of hedgerows and atmospheric pollution due to sulphur
dioxide, but between 1960 and 1980 it under went a dramatic decline.
Over 200 lichen species have been recorded growing on elms in Britain. Old Elm trees had a
rough, water retentive, naturally alkaline bark (pH 4 – 7), which lichens favour. Old elms often
grew in well-lit situations in open parkland, in pasture and along roadsides which were ideal for
the colourful and species-rich Xanthorion lichen community to develop.This community is
characterised by the presence of the bright yellow, leafy lichen Xanthoria parietina, along with grey
and brown species belonging to the Physcia family. In many areas of central, eastern and southern
England these species were joined by a number of ‘Elm specialists’ including:
●
●
●
●
●
●
Anaptychia ciliaris
Bacidia incompta
Caloplaca luteoalba
Collema fragrans
Cryptolechia carneolutea
Gyalecta flotowii
Eagle’s claws
Sap-groove lichen
Orange-fruited Elm-lichen
Clustered mini-jelly lichen
Shy cross-your-heart lichen
Pale crater lichen
Today, all these species are ‘Red Listed’, i.e. they have undergone a dramatic and significant decline,
and are now rare and threatened not just in the British Isles but also in parts of Europe. Bacidia
incompta and Caloplaca luteoalba are also Priority Species under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan.
Caloplaca luteoalba
Bacidia incompta
All records
Current sites
Current information indicates this species is no longer found on Elm in Wales and has been
recorded from only three trees since 2000 in England. In Scotland the species is doing rather
better although Dutch elm disease is progressing up the east side, threatening surviving Elms
and their associated lichens.
Sap-groove lichen
(Bacidia incompta)
Gyalecta flotowii
Cryptolechia carneolutea
Back from the Brink Management Series
Back from the Brink Management Series
The decline of Orange-fruited Elm-lichen (Caloplaca luteoalba)
Elm trees were once a familiar part of the countryside and cultural landscape
throughout the British Isles, with well grown trees often found in parklands, pastures
and along roadsides. In some parts of the country Wych Elm was also a major component of
our ancient woodlands.The main epidemic of Dutch Elm disease in the late 1960s and 1970s
killed an estimated 20 million trees.This dramatically changed the landscape of the British Isles,
but the effect on the flora associated with these trees has been less widely documented.
Collema fragrans
Anaptychia ciliaris
Why were Elm trees important for lichen?
Orange-fruited Elm-lichen was once widespread in central and south-eastern England and parts
of eastern Scotland and unlike many lichens, it is relatively rare in the western oceanic areas. It
is a characteristic species of old Elm trees in parklands, pastures and along roadsides,
sometimes found with other Elm specialists like Bacidia incompta and Collema fragrans, often
associated with wounds from cut branches. By the start of the Dutch elm disease epidemic it
had already declined through the loss of hedgerows and atmospheric pollution due to sulphur
dioxide, but between 1960 and 1980 it under went a dramatic decline.
Over 200 lichen species have been recorded growing on elms in Britain. Old Elm trees had a
rough, water retentive, naturally alkaline bark (pH 4 – 7), which lichens favour. Old elms often
grew in well-lit situations in open parkland, in pasture and along roadsides which were ideal for
the colourful and species-rich Xanthorion lichen community to develop.This community is
characterised by the presence of the bright yellow, leafy lichen Xanthoria parietina, along with grey
and brown species belonging to the Physcia family. In many areas of central, eastern and southern
England these species were joined by a number of ‘Elm specialists’ including:
●
●
●
●
●
●
Anaptychia ciliaris
Bacidia incompta
Caloplaca luteoalba
Collema fragrans
Cryptolechia carneolutea
Gyalecta flotowii
Eagle’s claws
Sap-groove lichen
Orange-fruited Elm-lichen
Clustered mini-jelly lichen
Shy cross-your-heart lichen
Pale crater lichen
Today, all these species are ‘Red Listed’, i.e. they have undergone a dramatic and significant decline,
and are now rare and threatened not just in the British Isles but also in parts of Europe. Bacidia
incompta and Caloplaca luteoalba are also Priority Species under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan.
Caloplaca luteoalba
Bacidia incompta
All records
Current sites
Current information indicates this species is no longer found on Elm in Wales and has been
recorded from only three trees since 2000 in England. In Scotland the species is doing rather
better although Dutch elm disease is progressing up the east side, threatening surviving Elms
and their associated lichens.
Sap-groove lichen
(Bacidia incompta)
Gyalecta flotowii
Cryptolechia carneolutea
BACK
FROM THE
BRINK
MANAGEMENT
SERIES
Back from the Brink Management Series
The importance of wayside trees
Lichens and elm trees
Isolated trees along roadsides, by tracks and in pastures are collectively known as wayside trees.
Their well-lit trunks may be affected by nutrient enrichment from dung and dust particles, so the
lichen species found on these trees are very different from those found in ancient woodland.
In the absence of Elms, trees with a naturally alkaline bark (such as Ash, Maple and Sycamore)
are very important for many lichens including some that were formerly widespread on the old
Elms. Several of the former ‘Elm specialists’ often favour damaged trees, occurring around and
below old wounds and sap runs, or are found on hard lignum inside hollow trees.
How can we conserve these species?
Orange-fruited Elm-lichen (Caloplaca luteoalba)
Conserving and managing these veteran wayside trees will help to protect these and many other
uncommon and declining lichen species. Current threats to wayside tree lichens include the:
●
●
●
●
Continuing loss of old wayside trees through natural causes and their
non-replacement
Loss of trees along roadsides due to road improvement schemes
Increase of ammonia and nitrogen pollution occurring as a result of
intensive agriculture
Increase of Ivy on the trunks of hedgerow trees smothering the lichens that
grow on them
Elm specialists and many other lichens associated with wayside tree habitats can be conserved by:
●
●
●
●
Protecting trees supporting populations of Elm specialists through Tree
Preservation Orders
Liaising with landowners and managers of sites with important populations of
Elm specialists and other threatened wayside tree species
Ensuring good practice is used when managing habitats around and adjacent to
important trees
Developing agri-environment schemes to encourage tree planting in places
that have been highlighted as important for lichens that grow on wayside trees
Further advice and information on lichens associated with Elm trees
can be obtained from:
Plantlife International
14 Rollestone Street,
Salisbury,
Wiltshire
SP1 1DX
Tel: 01722 342730
Email: enquiries@plantlife.org.uk
The Conservation Officer
British Lichen Society
The Natural History Museum
Cromwell Road,
London
SW7 5BD
Email: b.edwards@dorset-cc.gov.uk
English Nature
Northminster House,
Northminster,
Peterborough,
PE1 1UA
Tel: 01733 455000
BRITISH LICHEN
SOCIETY
Text written by Bryan Edwards
Photographs by Bryan Edwards & The Natural History Museum
Plantlife International wishes to acknowledge the financial support of English Nature in this jointly
resourced project.
See also: Veteran Trees: A guide to good management. Helen Read. English Nature. 2000.
Elm map project: http://www.ramblers.org.uk/elms/default.htm
ISBN: 1 904749-06-2
DESIGN: RJP DESIGN 01234 315147
All the Elm lichen specialists survive, albeit in small quantities, on other trees such as Ash, Beech,
Field Maple, Horse Chestnut and Sycamore.They show a preference for veteran trees that are
often hollow or wounded, and are sometimes found on trees that receive no statutory protection.
BACK
FROM THE
BRINK
MANAGEMENT
SERIES
Back from the Brink Management Series
The importance of wayside trees
Lichens and elm trees
Isolated trees along roadsides, by tracks and in pastures are collectively known as wayside trees.
Their well-lit trunks may be affected by nutrient enrichment from dung and dust particles, so the
lichen species found on these trees are very different from those found in ancient woodland.
In the absence of Elms, trees with a naturally alkaline bark (such as Ash, Maple and Sycamore)
are very important for many lichens including some that were formerly widespread on the old
Elms. Several of the former ‘Elm specialists’ often favour damaged trees, occurring around and
below old wounds and sap runs, or are found on hard lignum inside hollow trees.
How can we conserve these species?
Orange-fruited Elm-lichen (Caloplaca luteoalba)
Conserving and managing these veteran wayside trees will help to protect these and many other
uncommon and declining lichen species. Current threats to wayside tree lichens include the:
●
●
●
●
Continuing loss of old wayside trees through natural causes and their
non-replacement
Loss of trees along roadsides due to road improvement schemes
Increase of ammonia and nitrogen pollution occurring as a result of
intensive agriculture
Increase of Ivy on the trunks of hedgerow trees smothering the lichens that
grow on them
Elm specialists and many other lichens associated with wayside tree habitats can be conserved by:
●
●
●
●
Protecting trees supporting populations of Elm specialists through Tree
Preservation Orders
Liaising with landowners and managers of sites with important populations of
Elm specialists and other threatened wayside tree species
Ensuring good practice is used when managing habitats around and adjacent to
important trees
Developing agri-environment schemes to encourage tree planting in places
that have been highlighted as important for lichens that grow on wayside trees
Further advice and information on lichens associated with Elm trees
can be obtained from:
Plantlife International
14 Rollestone Street,
Salisbury,
Wiltshire
SP1 1DX
Tel: 01722 342730
Email: enquiries@plantlife.org.uk
The Conservation Officer
British Lichen Society
The Natural History Museum
Cromwell Road,
London
SW7 5BD
Email: b.edwards@dorset-cc.gov.uk
English Nature
Northminster House,
Northminster,
Peterborough,
PE1 1UA
Tel: 01733 455000
BRITISH LICHEN
SOCIETY
Text written by Bryan Edwards
Photographs by Bryan Edwards & The Natural History Museum
Plantlife International wishes to acknowledge the financial support of English Nature in this jointly
resourced project.
See also: Veteran Trees: A guide to good management. Helen Read. English Nature. 2000.
Elm map project: http://www.ramblers.org.uk/elms/default.htm
ISBN: 1 904749-06-2
DESIGN: RJP DESIGN 01234 315147
All the Elm lichen specialists survive, albeit in small quantities, on other trees such as Ash, Beech,
Field Maple, Horse Chestnut and Sycamore.They show a preference for veteran trees that are
often hollow or wounded, and are sometimes found on trees that receive no statutory protection.