Can anyone tell me what this tree growth is called?

[Brian G]

Some kind of Tree fungus?
[url=https://flic.kr/p/LYFb8s]Dartmoor by Brian Gibson, on Flickr[/URL]

 

[Box Brownie]

Nickname is "Old mans beard"

I have seen it in various places in the UK as well as in south Africa.

I was told that it is a sign of very good clean air as it will only grow in such pristine (?) environments.

HTH

PS I understood it is in the Lichen group.

 

[john.margetts]

Specifically an Usnea lichen. Usnea are very sensitive to air pollution and indicate clean air.

 

[SsSsSsSsSnake]

Specifically an Usnea lichen. Usnea are very sensitive to air pollution and indicate clean air.

All my trees have it,it’s a great sign

 

[Brian G]

Thanks very much chaps.
I knew there would be some helpful and knowledgable people on the forum.

The photo was taken in a small wood on Dartmoor (Wistmans Wood.)

 

[soupdragon]

I thought it was a branch.

 

[wontolla]

I thought it was a branch.

Nah, it's special.

 

[Pete B]

I wonder how Tolkien came up with the Treebeard idea?