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Epiphytic lichen biomass accumulates slowly in forest canopies. We evaluated three alternative hypotheses for the slow accumulation of epiphytic lichens, using two experiments in tree crowns from 15 Douglas‐fir forest stands representing three age classes: old growth, young, and recent clearcuts. The first experiment evaluated whether forest age, bark roughness, or dispersal rate limits the establishment of the dominant old‐growth‐associated lichen, Lobaria oregana. Surface‐sterilized branches with either rough or smooth bark were repeatedly inoculated with propagules and compared 1 yr after the last inoculation. Dispersal affected rates of establishment: inoculated branches had 27× more newly established thalli than controls. Establishment on smooth bark was highest in clearcuts, intermediate in young forests, and lowest in old growth. There was as much or more establishment of sown propagules on smooth‐barked branches as on rough‐barked branches in all age classes. In the second, transplant‐performance experiment, Lobaria oregana grew as rapidly in young forests as in old growth but lost biomass and suffered more injuries in clearcuts. In contrast, L. pulmonaria performed at least as well in clearcuts as in young forests and old growth. Poor dispersal and establishment limit the development of L. oregana populations in Douglas‐fir forests. Particular substrates and microenvironments found only in old growth are not essential for Lobaria establishment and growth. Maximizing the number and dispersion of remnant trees in cutting units should maximize the rate of accumulation of L. oregana biomass in the regenerating forest. The single most important action promoting the accumulation of old‐growth‐associated epiphytes will be the retention of propagule sources in and near all cutting units.

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