Fine‐scale distribution of the epiphytic lichenUsnea longissimaon two even‐aged neighbouringPicea abiestrees

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Abstract
Two neighbouring even‐aged 130‐yr oldPicea abiestrees in a homogeneous stand can differ substantially with respect to their epiphytic vegetation. Sampled branches from the canopy of one tree harboured 781 specimens of the old forest lichenUsnea longissimaof which only 50 could be seen from the ground, whereas noU. longissimawere found on its nearest neighbour.Usnea longissimawas most abundant on branch tips in lower parts of the canopy on branch segments having the highest biomass of other alectorioid species. Trees with and withoutU. longissimashowed a different pattern in their mineral composition, suggesting that a tree‐specific difference in nutritional status might contribute to explain the patchy distribution of this lichen within seemingly homogeneous stands.