Moss or lichen on my sygar maple

[tuffy]

Hi, I planted 2 young sugar maples 3 yrs ago. They are growing nicely but have developed what looks like moss or lichen all over the trunk bark. The moss is covering almost all of the bark. Will this hurt the trees? If so, is there anything I can do to clean it off. The mature trees, maples and others near by also have this condition. The mature trees are looking sickly the last few years but we thought maybe they are just very old. Zone 4 upstate NY. Thanks

 

[hoodat]

Hi, I planted 2 young sugar maples 3 yrs ago. They are growing nicely but have developed what looks like moss or lichen all over the trunk bark. The moss is covering almost all of the bark. Will this hurt the trees? If so, is there anything I can do to clean it off. The mature trees, maples and others near by also have this condition. The mature trees are looking sickly the last few years but we thought maybe they are just very old. Zone 4 upstate NY. Thanks

Sugar maples should show a life span of around 50 years. I doubt lichen or moss would hurt them. they are both found on trees throughout the woods.