Lobaria Pulmonaria © Grace Hunt
Tree Lungwort at Castle Woods
Lobaria pulmonaria, commonly known as tree lungwort is a large leafy lichen species. Lichens are highly vulnerable to air pollution and have suffered huge declines across Europe since the industrial revolution. Protected by the terrain of the reserve (the prevailing wind is pushed up and over Castle woods ridge) a pocket of tree lungwort has been able to survive. In recent years, the lichen has been transplanted to other trees in the area. The hope is to make this population more resilient to storm damage and tree disease, with more host trees.
