United Kingdom 
My amelanchier tree seems to have a lot of lichen growing on the trunks and branches nowadays and the blossom and leaves don't seem to be as prolific as they once were. It was well established when we bought the house 18 years ago in Highland Perthshire. Should we replace it now?
Katie Allstaff
15 Mar, 2014
Answers
Lichen is a sign of pure air. It is not a parasite and does not diminish growth. I would add well rotted manure or similar feed to boost growth. Also reducing branches as seaburngirl has suggest will work but I would still add feed.
15 Mar, 2014
Have you pruned it? if not reduce 1/3 of the branches by 2/3 of their length this year, then do the same again next year and then the year adter. this is a standard way of rejuvenating large overgrown shrubs. I've done it with this shrub, lilac, philadelphus and forsythia.
15 Mar, 2014