here is the tree photo, will send the leaf next.

Here is a close up of the leaf.

It is quite normal with older trees and in damper or more humid climates. It is unusual to see moss and lichen growing in such close proximity, however - moss likes the shade while lichens like the sun.

And that is a Japanese maple.

lichens are entirely symbiotic ... just hanging on the tree..

other than being cool to look at... of no significance ...

never seen moss in a tree ... but maybe thats a MI thing ... usually its not damp enough..

BUT!!!! in the third pic.. do i see a very long pruning stub at high noon ... if so.. this tree mights be rotting on the interior ... and now.. looking back.. i think the first pic.. show a rotting prior pruning also ???

if so.. better pix ...

ken

Look up live oaks and spanish moss. Some scenic stuff us folks with a winter usually do not get.

I get moss on some of my trees in the shaded areas, heck it even grows up concrete and my field stones, so no reason it would not grow on a tree trunk. The lichen on my trees don't seem particular either. They grow in sun and shade.