Question:   What is Spanish moss and is it hurting my tree?

To the native Floridian, Spanish moss is part of the Florida scenery. To many newcomers and visitors, however, this strange air plant is a subject of much speculation and wonder.

Contrary to what most people believe, Spanish moss does not injure the tree by obtaining any nourishment from it. Being an air plant, it only uses the tree for support. Live oaks especially seem well-suited for harboring this plant and most Florida live oaks of any size have at least some Spanish moss. But many other tree species also harbor this plant. Healthy moss is often seen growing on dead trees, fences and power lines as well.

Spanish moss occurs in all Florida counties, but is very common to very rare depending on the location. It is also widely distributed from southern Virginia to eastern Texas along the coastal strip of the southeastern United States. Ball moss (Tillandisia recurvata) is sometimes confused with Spanish moss but is a small tufted, soft, greenish gray plant. Often the two species are found growing in the same tree.

Damage to Trees: Although Spanish moss does not obtain nourishment from a tree, it can sometimes cause tree damage. This occurs when weak tree limbs become heavily laden with moss and break off. The foliage of small branches may sometimes be smothered, too. Spanish moss causes the most trouble in economic crop trees such as pecans and citrus. In shade trees, however, people usually remove it because they do not like the way it looks, not because of any damage it might do.

Control of Spanish moss: The usual chemical spray used to control Spanish moss is a 6-2-100 bordeaux mixture (6 pounds of copper sulfate or bluestone, 2lbs. lime and 100 gallons of water) sprayed during the growing season. The dead strands of moss remain on the trees for quite a while after it is killed. Often, too, in areas of abundant moss, seeds and strands of moss blow in from adjoining trees; therefore, spraying must be repeated every few years. Caution: bordeaux mixture corrodes anything made of aluminum. Be careful not to let spray or spray-drift come in contact with aluminum articles.

Life History: Spanish moss is a flowering plant belonging to the pineapple family. Most stands sprout from a seed that is equipped with a feathery parachute which floats through the air until it lodges on a tree trunk or other suitable seed bed. Several strands may grow simultaneously from one seed. Strands and minute pieces of moss carried by wind or birds to suitable locations also grow into new festoons. Hurricanes are said to spread moss. Being an epiphyte (air plant), Spanish moss gets it nourishment form rain water and air. Probably dust in the air also supplies some of its nourishment. Moss has the ability to absorb quantities of moisture from the air. Studies have shown that moss contains the same proportions of certain chemicals as the surrounding air.