Spanish moss which is actually a bromeliad, does not harm healthy trees. but instead takes advantage of defoliating trees as they naturally decline in health.
There are many myths we grow up believing, such as the link between proximity to the television and the potential for blindness. Other childhood fables are more specific to circumventing " bad" luck by avoiding crossing paths with black cats, walking under ladders, and breaking mirrors. As we age we realize how ridiculous it was for us to believe most of these superstitions.
Yet there is one myth that most people believe well into adulthood, that moss kills trees.
People believe what they see. When you observe dying trees with moss clinging to dead limbs the connection is made that the moss, acting as a parasite, is killing the tree. As opposed to healthy trees with full, leafy canopies appearing to have very little moss.
The relationship moss has with trees is actually opportunistic and has little to no impact on the health of the tree. A dying tree will gradually defoliate, exposing large areas of bare branches within the canopy. This provides the perfect scaffolding and growing conditions for moss growth. Vigorous trees with fuller leaf cover have a shielding effect, limiting access of moss seeds into the canopy.
Moss seeds are very small and primarily distributed by the wind. The nooks and crannies of tree bark are ideal for capturing and sheltering these seeds as they sprout and mature. Tree mosses produce small tendrils that will secure the plant to the tree as it gains size.
These tendrils are often assumed to be roots that enter the tree and " steal" food and water, which is not the case. The moss will obtain all the water it requires from atmospheric moisture, which we refer to as humidity. Food is also readily available in the form of atmospheric nitrogen.
There are two types of moss typically seen on trees here in the south, Spanish moss and ball moss. Despite their name, these are not really mosses, They are bromeliads.
Although a great deal smaller and less colorful than other members of their family, they do not share the similar wildlife benefits. Tree moss offers refuge to many species of wildlife, including birds, lizards , and tree frogs. And i have rarely found birds nest that didn't utilize moss in its construction.
Back to our discussion of dying trees with profuse quantities of moss. As a trees heath declines, moss will further accumulate on the weakened branches, increasing the potential for limb breakage due to the weight of the moss growth. This should be the only time moss will present a direct threat to a tree.
But now that we have a better understanding of mosses, we know that this tree is failing due to other circumstances. The moss is only guilty of opportunistically taking advantage of desirable growing conditions. A bit like us wanting to live in the sunny , warm state of Florida.
Hopefully this has changed your perspective on the moss that is growing on the trees in your yard. Instead of fearfully trying to remove it from your trees canopy, sit back and enjoy its beauty.
There are many myths we grow up believing, such as the link between proximity to the television and the potential for blindness. Other childhood fables are more specific to circumventing " bad" luck by avoiding crossing paths with black cats, walking under ladders, and breaking mirrors. As we age we realize how ridiculous it was for us to believe most of these superstitions.
Yet there is one myth that most people believe well into adulthood, that moss kills trees.
People believe what they see. When you observe dying trees with moss clinging to dead limbs the connection is made that the moss, acting as a parasite, is killing the tree. As opposed to healthy trees with full, leafy canopies appearing to have very little moss.
The relationship moss has with trees is actually opportunistic and has little to no impact on the health of the tree. A dying tree will gradually defoliate, exposing large areas of bare branches within the canopy. This provides the perfect scaffolding and growing conditions for moss growth. Vigorous trees with fuller leaf cover have a shielding effect, limiting access of moss seeds into the canopy.
Moss seeds are very small and primarily distributed by the wind. The nooks and crannies of tree bark are ideal for capturing and sheltering these seeds as they sprout and mature. Tree mosses produce small tendrils that will secure the plant to the tree as it gains size.
These tendrils are often assumed to be roots that enter the tree and " steal" food and water, which is not the case. The moss will obtain all the water it requires from atmospheric moisture, which we refer to as humidity. Food is also readily available in the form of atmospheric nitrogen.
There are two types of moss typically seen on trees here in the south, Spanish moss and ball moss. Despite their name, these are not really mosses, They are bromeliads.
Although a great deal smaller and less colorful than other members of their family, they do not share the similar wildlife benefits. Tree moss offers refuge to many species of wildlife, including birds, lizards , and tree frogs. And i have rarely found birds nest that didn't utilize moss in its construction.
Back to our discussion of dying trees with profuse quantities of moss. As a trees heath declines, moss will further accumulate on the weakened branches, increasing the potential for limb breakage due to the weight of the moss growth. This should be the only time moss will present a direct threat to a tree.
But now that we have a better understanding of mosses, we know that this tree is failing due to other circumstances. The moss is only guilty of opportunistically taking advantage of desirable growing conditions. A bit like us wanting to live in the sunny , warm state of Florida.
Hopefully this has changed your perspective on the moss that is growing on the trees in your yard. Instead of fearfully trying to remove it from your trees canopy, sit back and enjoy its beauty.
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