It's not really moss, it's Tillandsia recurvata and it clings to the live oaks in our area. Ball moss doesn't directly harm the trees but it does accumulate and looks ugly. When it takes over a tree it can block the light causing early demise of lower limbs and can partially block the view. But mostly it just looks ugly.
Our trees had never been de-mossed and this spring it was time to remove the accumulation of ball moss. We hired a service, a rare non-DIY act for us. DH says he knows his limits, which I was glad to see. In addition to removing the moss balls, they trimmed and opened up the trees quite a bit by removing dead and crossing limbs. As required by the city (and a very good practice), the fresh cuts were painted immediately to prevent the spread of oak wilt. This was good timing since the new crop of leaves are just ready to emerge and also oak wilt carrying bugs are not yet very active in cooler weather.
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There was significant accumulation so it took the crew about two days to accomplish the task. That big tree is high! Notice the other crew member on the left watching for safety.
They used long pruning poles to remove the moss balls and trim the trees
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They were very professional and did a good job cleaning up.
Because live oaks lose their leaves in the spring and these have just dropped it's easy to see how much more open the tree canopy looks.
Trees before the work
After the work, I also caught one of the resident hawks hunting against the blue sky (middle)
Front of the house from the street in mid-January as the old leaves were beginning to die off.
Front this morning.
Even though we are experiencing a rare cloudy day there's more light on the front of the house. New leaves will be appearing very soon and over time new branches will fill in. It already looks so much better.
That did open it up a lot.
ReplyDeleteWe have moss here, but it's not too bad...yet.
One year, I made a wreath out of some.
It's misting here. Hope they're right about rain, this time.
Have a great weekend.
We did get a little rain here, hope for more tomorrow and a good weekend to you too.
DeleteLooks great! Our trees are so much healthier after we removed all the moss balls.
ReplyDeleteYes, when they block the light that's a problem for the health of the trees and other plants. I'm so glad we got it done ahead of the new growth.
DeleteIt slays me the anti-ball moss thinking that is in Texas. I do not get it.
ReplyDeleteI meant to note, I have no problem with some management, some thinning perhaps as in thinning anything else in the garden, what I don't get is the absolute removal of it.
ReplyDeleteAbsolute removal is neither possible nor the goal here. As with most things it's a matter of degree and, just like weeding a garden, improving the look and health of our trees is important to us.
DeleteWhat a great task to have someone else do! Your trees look much better now. I bet you could box up all your ball moss and send it to nurseries in the north. I can see the signs now - New! Easy Care! Tillandsia recurvata - Add some to your collection now. Often overlooked by all but the discriminating epiphyte aficionado, you could be among the first to enjoy this diminutive treasure in your own home or glass house. You'd probably make enough to pay for the de-mossing!
ReplyDeleteNot as odd as it might seem, the Tillandsia recurvata won a prize in the epiphyte class at the Philadelphia Flower Show a few years back.
Deletehttp://www.mysanantonio.com/life/article/A-surprise-prize-winner-1189888.php
WOW!!! Especially now, seeing how those very oaks look after and with how the house fits around them...trying not to covet your house with those wonderful trees and the planting you added.
ReplyDeleteDon't laugh, but more than once I brought back some ball moss and put them in my oaks, planted and natural along the arroyo...1st time, they took off in the monsoon season into early winter, then a bout of windy, cold dry air took care of that. Fun while it lasted!
Actually I didn't laugh because I do appreciate it in moderation. Dry, sunny, cold weather is the enemy of it though.
DeleteThe footprint of the the house was designed around the trees. Makes for a couple of odd spots inside but well worth it. From inside the windows are placed for full effect too.
Thank god you guys didn't try to do that yourselves! That would have been crazy dangerous.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely, that's why we hired it out.
DeleteImpressive. I had not seen a service for de-mossing before, it is a service that certainly is handy for you folks. Now, what are you going to plant with all that new light?
ReplyDeleteThey are a tree service company which provides the whole range of services.
DeleteI need to rework the "shade" garden anyway so this is a fresh start.
I've never heard of moss balls. Learned something new. I do love the way the trees are so much more airy now. You have to really respect people that will climb up into trees and work in them. I would be much too scared to do that!
ReplyDeleteThat is a skill I don't want to develop for sure.
DeleteI used to sell a lot of copper for removal of ball moss. I'm sure it isn't used hardly at all anymore. I knew quite a few arborists when in lived there, many would tell me about incorrect pruning of live oaks. They called the incorrect cut a River cut. I guess if you prune too close to the trunk or limb it doesn't leave enough of specialized cells which eventually create callous growth which covers the wound. Results from a River cut will produce a lot of suckering like dehorning a tree does. Cant tell from looking at the photos. Looks good though.
ReplyDeleteThey didn't cut too close and didn't cut any large limbs, just a thinning where needed. They were specifically trained and licensed to perform tree work in the city.
DeleteWe have a lot of oak in Britain, but I have never heard of moss balls. Perhaps we do have the same problem, it’s just that I don’t have any oak in my garden. Your tree look really great after it’s treatment and tidying up. I admire those tree surgeons doing their job, I see them here in my street too every other year when the pollard the plane trees, it’s amazing to see them work.
ReplyDeleteI've not heard of it anywhere else so it seems a local problem. You might also be surprised to learn that pollarding is a controversial practice here while it is so common in the UK.
DeleteWe keep our vitex in check with pollarding.
Yes, I have heard that pollarding is controversial in the US, while it is common all over Europe. The streets in London would simply not be able to have the original, Victorian plane trees unless they were pollarded, as the streets are not wide enough!
DeleteThat looks sooooo good Shirley! Our neighbours did that 2 years ago and I was horrified (ignorant non- Texan) - now I see the beauty and necessity. It looks just excellent! You must be pleased. :)
ReplyDeleteIt's about revealing the beauty of our trees and an option like weeding your garden.
DeleteYes, it's so nice to see the undulating form of the live oak trunks. Looks like they did a good job.
ReplyDeleteI learn something new every day, here it`s mistletoe. I always wondered what that moss was. Happy Spring! We have been so much more fortunate with rain this winter that you guys, amazing to me.
ReplyDelete