Tree Doctor – Tree Service – San Antonio
Ball Moss
Do your trees have ugly little grey furry balls hanging about? Chances are you have what is known as Ball Moss (Tillandsia recurvata). This little plant is a member of the Bromediad family and is an Epiphyte. It is not a parasite but rather attaches itself to limbs instead of penetrating into them.
Besides being unsightly, when ball moss gets thick it tends to constrict branches, impede bud development and shade interior foliage. So while some experts say ball moss does no harm it would be more accurate to say it does no direct harm. I believe it indirectly harms trees and should be managed.
The best long-term management of ball moss is to alternate manual removal that coincides with pruning cycles with spraying. That is, every 5 years or so the trees will need maintenance pruning to remove dead wood. At that time pick the ball moss. In 2 or 3 years when the ball moss is starting to come back and it is small and not thick, it can be effectively killed by spraying with a solution of baking soda or a copper fungicide such as Kocide. It should be pointed out that Kocide is a potentially dangerous product that will turn everything blue and that baking soda is not labeled for this application. Baking soda does not have the dangerous potential or side effects fo the fungicide. It is critical to spray in the January-March period. If applied during warm months the foliage will be burned. If applied to thick old clumps the application will be less effective. Spraying requires proper equipment and if using the fungicide it requires proper licensing and precautions.
The next couple of months are prime time to put the hurt on your Ball Moss.
Call (210) 826-8555 or click to contact Tree Doctor online.
Certified Arborist | San Antonio, Texas
Tree Doctor is located in San Antonio & provides Tree Care Services throughout Central & South Texas. Including the towns of San Antonio, Boerne, Kerrville, Hondo, Fredericksburg, New Braunfels, Hondo, & the counties of Comal, Kendall, Kerr, Gillespie, Medina, Bexar, & more.
