Yeah, not everyone is in favor of such a big tree next to their house, (or listening to pecans falling on the roof) but the giant pecan on one side and the nearly as big oak on the other side save us a lot of $ in cooling costs. The pecans are known for throwing huge limbs down for no apparent reason, I just hope we're not home when the one over the house comes down. Until then, it sure makes a lot of precious shade when it's hot.
But to say something on topic, does anyone else not like to get the lichen smell on their hands? I wouldn't mind so much but it lingers even after a shower. I don't do much with gloves, not a bit worried about getting dirty, but picking up sticks before mowing is now one thing I put gloves on for, to keep that smell off of my hands. It's a lost cause when we have a fire in our pit though, I'm one of those firebugs who keeps throwing in twigs and sticks the whole time.
I would bet the cooler, wetter summer was really conducive to lichens? I don't know much about this stuff.
