On 2013-11-29 18:21:18 +0000, Emery Davis said:

On Fri, 29 Nov 2013 17:38:34 +0000, Sacha wrote:

I understand that but the OP isn't talking about a wall. He's talking
about it *between* paving stones, where many would grow low-growing
herbs if conditions were less moist or shady.


Well, I can understand getting the paving stones clean, especially if
it's nice stone, or slippery. But I agree, between the stones is another
matter. At Yamazakura, the Japanese house where I selected your Acer
ginalla -- which I hope is still alive BTW ! -- there is a lovely patio
with creeping thyme between the flags. As you walk on it in summer the
scent of the thyme rises up in the sun.

Yes, the Acer is alive and well and thank you! I just love the whole
thing of low plants between flag stones but one does need to be aware
of the bees on them if young children are around - no bare feet.

We have some wood fence with tons of lichen on it, I wondered the other
day if it's not making it rot a bit faster...

Acting as a sponge, you mean? All I can say - quoting Tresco again as
my source - is that there's a wooden fence on one part of the island
that surrounds a horse paddock. I've only known the island for 14 years
but to my certain knowledge that fence has been there at least that
long. Every plank of it is topped with lichen, so that it looks as if
it's rimed with frost, even in August. The fence should, in theory, be
destroyed if the lichen was harming it, or so I would imagine.

I hope you're right, that's certainly encouraging.

-E

I do hope so. I should have taken a photograph of it because it's just
so pretty. The fence is built of horizontal planks, probably sawn from
trees felled on the island. They all have a wany edge and are a few
inches apart, so maybe it helps that they can 'breathe' and that air
circulates around them? I especially like it that the lichen is tiny,
maybe a 1/4 inch high but firmly attached and beautiful. Of course,
the air there is especially clean and rather salty, which may make a
difference to the wood itself. The only diesel or fuel powered vehicles
on Tresco are tractors or a couple of the vans. The rest are
electrically driven buggies that the island's staff use to go from
cottage to cottage with cleaning materials or new food stocks, logs
etc. The air quality is magnificent.
--
Sacha
www.hillhousenursery.com
South Devon