Spanish Moss
bennis
21 years ago
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mtngirl
21 years agodavisp49
21 years agoRelated Discussions
Spanish Moss - getting rid of it
Comments (37)Spanish moss is either loved or hated. As a tree expert and my wife, Claudia is certified Arborist, most tree owners do not realize the danger what large amount of moss can do to a tree(s). Little moss is pretty to some and to many is a sign to stop it before it takes over the tree(s). Abundant amounts can smother small or even larger limbs. One pound of Spanish Moss will hold up to two more pounds and maybe more of rain water which then becomes three (3) lbs. Let's say the tree may have 500 lbs of moss and then it rains weight becomes = 1500 lbs. or 1200 lbs of living Spanish moss then it rains = 3600 lbs to a tree during a storm or even hurricane. Now, the University of Florida, back in the 80's, said that Spanish moss should be pulled out of citrus and crepe myrtles before the moss grows too abundant and smother the tree. How about a large limb in a majestic Live Oak? So, how to get rid of moss for those who loves trees being trees? You can spray with copper sulfate, staining problem, but it is a systemic and travels all through the moss. Also, copper in one ingredient in most or all dry fertilizers. Another note for your trees: Remember that most large trees drink up to 75 to 100 gallons of water a day. (These numbers can always be less or more) When you have couple of weeks or more without rain then I recommend that you give the tree(s) 50-100 gallons twice a week for each tree. Several trees (Live Oaks as well) died from a long drought last year and customers thought their sprinklers were doing enough for all plants. Hope this helps and sorry that I may sound that I hate moss but moss is a welfare plant. It can harm the tree, it use the tree and gives nothing good back except to some it looks artistic like it's a Florida tree. I look at a tree full of moss as needing help to lose weight when each tree has enough problems holding its own weight during storms. I love trees and saving them is fun and maybe soon I'll post on how long it takes water to get to the top of a hundred foot tree, live oaks struck by lightning on what to do, and more. I am not advertising but I gave the above information of my wife and I that we are tree experts. I have not listed any last names, websites, phone numbers, etc....See MoreSpanish moss as mulch?
Comments (20)Abstract from John O. Whitaker and Carol Ruckdeschel "Spanish Moss, the Unfinished Chigger Story," Southeastern Naturalist 9(1), 85-94, (1 March 2010). There is a widespread belief in the southern parts of the United States that Trombiculidae (Chiggers) are common in Tillandsia usneoides (Spanish Moss) (Bromeliaceae). However, no chiggers were found among the 3297 organisms collected from T. usneoides and T. recurvata (Ball Moss) in trees and from the ground on Cumberland Island, GA. The organisms included 1721 Acari (mites), and in order of decreasing abundance were Psocoptera (barklice), Collembola (springtails), Araneae (spiders), Coccidae (scales), Thysanoptera (thrips), Formicidae (ants), Isopoda (sowbugs), Diplopoda (millipedes), Coleoptera, and Lepidoptera larvae. The millipede Polyxenus fascicularis (Polyxenidae) and the ensign scale insect Orthezia tillandsia (Ortheziidae) were of particular interest because of their rarity and host specificity, respectively....See Moregrow spanish moss inside of a plastic bag?
Comments (0)it is winter time now. i wonder if i can cover it with a plastic bag, and leave it outside? i am here in the southern california....See MoreIs my Spanish Moss dead? How can I tell?
Comments (9)I have only seen some comments now, so I should, let everyone know that my bush never recovered and never grew any more over another year, so I had to dump it. I see only "Like" and "Save" tabs here, so then no way to reply individually. Help me out if I am wrong. So, Lars I got it from East London, on the South East coast of Africa and took it home to Windhoek, Central Namibia, which has a very dry climate, especially in winter with a relative humidity normally less that ten. Angie G I fear yours looks just like mine did, only mine was a much smaller bush ....See MoreAaronKleine
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