Today in Keswick on the path under some trees I found what looks like a pale green ferny tuft. There is a spot of the back which looks as if it's been attached to the tree above. There were other tufts along the branches amongst that bright yellow lichen. I've brought it home and would like to keep it alive or is it too late as it's dropped off the tree?
The nearest I can find by googling is reindeer moss but does it grow here and on trees?
Gen in Northumberlabd
I doubt you have come across reideer moss..it grows in very specific type of habitat and it is not common in Britain, in fact it is protected in those few areas where it appears.
Reindeer moss is grey/silvery coloured and once you've seen the real thing, being so distinctive it is very easy to recognize...and no..it doesn't grow on trees. Tree growing lichen is very diffendent thing. Lichen is VEEEEEERY difficult to keep alive once it is removed from it growing space...but you can try. You have to find its original habitat and try to immitate or provide how it lived. I suspect if it was on tree it was dropped by birds that may have gathered it for their nest.
I've grown collected moss before, but lichen is quite different..they are slow growers and will take some years to make small amount of new growth.
Goodlife
Thanks for your reply. With your help I now think I know what it is - Usnea subfloridana. I found it when I googled Cumbria tree lichen. good piccies for identifying.
Sad it will now die, its a pretty thing, a bit like the airferns I saw in Thailand and South Africa
Gen in NBL England