Need help! Moss growing on branches and trunk.

[Jpxc17]

I recently purchased several Mountain Hemlock trees that had been very neglected in their nursery containers. All of them have varying degrees of moss growing on the trunks and branches. This species has very delicate flakey bark but a lot of it has already been ruined by the moss.
It's not feasible to remove it all by hand. I'm thinking the only real solution would be to spray the trees down thoroughly with something to try to kill it. Using a paint brush doesn't seem feasible as it's in the crotches of many branches as well and probably impossible to get at all of it. What would be safe on this species? I've read vinegar, copper, and lime sulphur mixtures.
Anyone with any experience with this sort of problem?

 

[ysrgrathe]

Vinegar 50/50 with water (~2.5%). Paint on, I use a toothbrush. I would worry about overspray if you tried to spray it. Keep it off foliage and rootball (a little dribble won't affect the roots).

 

[Jpxc17]

Is it confirmed it will kill the foliage at 50/50? My issue is that it's covering the branches of many of these trees and is impossible to use a paintbrush to get to all of it. I'm really hoping for a safe way to spray the foliage/branches/trunk but I realize that may not be possible.

 

[Shibui]

I use vinegar water 50:50 in a spray bottle. I try to avoid foliage where possible but there is often some overspray and I have not noticed any problems as a result.
The vinegar will kill the moss but does not remove it. I usually just leave dead moss to disintegrate which can take many months. Otherwise tweezers or toothbrush but both will remove some bark as well. Bark will grow back given some time so no need to be too precious.
Moss will grow back so I need to repeat sprays several times each year.

 

[sorce]

You can probly just stop watering from the top.

Sorce

 

[rockm]

Since you're in Washington state, this kind of thing is probably common

Algae, Lichens, and Mosses on Plants

A.D. Davison and R.S. Byther, Professors emeriti of Plant Pathology, WSU Algae, lichens, and mosses grow profusely on trunks, limbs, and twigs of many...

pnwhandbooks.org

This moss growth in the PNW is similar (but not the same) as Spanish moss in the south. It thrives on humidity. You can be concerned about it, or not. Aggressively Fighting it may cause more issues than just leaving it be, other than the occasional removal of the worst of it by picking it off...

Washington Tree Care | Moss | Westcoast Tree Care

Washington tree care for moss growth comes with positives and safety concerns. That's why you should always leave it to a certified arborist at Westcoast Tree Care.

www.westcoast-tree.org

 

[penumbra]

You can probly just stop watering from the top.

This sounds like good advice. It may have to be combined with some sort of removal but it would certainly help unless it is continually raining or 100% humidity.

 

[River's Edge]

I recently purchased several Mountain Hemlock trees that had been very neglected in their nursery containers. All of them have varying degrees of moss growing on the trunks and branches. This species has very delicate flakey bark but a lot of it has already been ruined by the moss.
It's not feasible to remove it all by hand. I'm thinking the only real solution would be to spray the trees down thoroughly with something to try to kill it. Using a paint brush doesn't seem feasible as it's in the crotches of many branches as well and probably impossible to get at all of it. What would be safe on this species? I've read vinegar, copper, and lime sulphur mixtures.
Anyone with any experience with this sort of problem?

Only a problem if left neglected and the continued excess moisture rots the bark and deadwood areas! Hemlock are often found naturally in this condition. Almost all my collected trees begin with this condition. Place the trees in more sunlight and a better ventilated area than they are used to. Use tweezers to pick slowly over time the extra surface moss on the bark. Also a soft toothbrush or nylon brush in heavier areas, It will gradually come under control at no risk to the tree! Focus on thicker areas at first and remove the top strands. And as suggested water the soil not the tree and foliage. Along with choosing a location with more air movement. Another tip would be to reduce the nursery container height to closer to soil level height, thus improving air flow and keeping the surface drier. Vinegar does work, I have used it successfully but so does the slower approach. If using vinegar, I use the 50/50 solution in a 500ml pump spray, avoid foliage and cover the soil while spraying. For moss right on the soil I use the paint brush approach effectively with straight vinegar.
One main advantage to the slower approach is the retention of natural lichen on the bark, nice show feature for aged appearance.
Here is one that was badly affected when collected from a lower area with high moisture levels. ( bog)

 

[Jpxc17]

Thanks guys. Fortunately a lot of the rain is slowing down for the season here in Washington. I'll focus on not watering the foliage. It's not an issue I can ignore as the moss has already killed off a lot of the branches and continues to destroy the bark on the main trunk. That is why I'm asking for help because it's already a big problem.

So far, it sounds like the 50/50 vinegar water mix is best but I won't be able to spray the foliage. I won't be able to spray down the branches either without hitting the foliage.

Anyone else have experience with vinegar, copper spray, lime sulphur, something else? Anything that can be completely sprayed on the tree on all surfaces but won't kill the tree/foliage? What I'm looking for specifically may not exist, but that's why I'm reaching out. I haven't found any conclusive answers anywhere else online.

 

[Jpxc17]

Thanks River's Edge!

 

[River's Edge]

Thanks guys. Fortunately a lot of the rain is slowing down for the season here in Washington. I'll focus on not watering the foliage. It's not an issue I can ignore as the moss has already killed off a lot of the branches and continues to destroy the bark on the main trunk. That is why I'm asking for help because it's already a big problem.

So far, it sounds like the 50/50 vinegar water mix is best but I won't be able to spray the foliage. I won't be able to spray down the branches either without hitting the foliage.

Anyone else have experience with vinegar, copper spray, lime sulphur, something else? Anything that can be completely sprayed on the tree on all surfaces but won't kill the tree/foliage? What I'm looking for specifically may not exist, but that's why I'm reaching out. I haven't found any conclusive answers anywhere else online.

Focus on the root condition and make sure they are not staying too wet. tilt pots on side to help with drainage, place in areas with some cover to limit rain. The branches and main trunk will be affected more by root condition than the moss you are concerned about.

 

[Jpxc17]

Hey, I really appreciate the advice about the Mountain Hemlock care. There isn't a lot of information out there on specific care for this species.

I bought 7 of these trees for $10 each from a closed down nursery situation. They were very neglected, hence the moss issues. I've repotted all but one so far. I'm planning on creating a forest planting if all goes well after I bring them back to health individually.

The root situation seemed to be the biggest issue, so I'm hoping they start to thrive again after repotting. Any immediate aftercare concerns after repotting?

 

[River's Edge]

Hey, I really appreciate the advice about the Mountain Hemlock care. There isn't a lot of information out there on specific care for this species.

I bought 7 of these trees for $10 each from a closed down nursery situation. They were very neglected, hence the moss issues. I've repotted all but one so far. I'm planning on creating a forest planting if all goes well after I bring them back to health individually.

The root situation seemed to be the biggest issue, so I'm hoping they start to thrive again after repotting. Any immediate aftercare concerns after repotting?

For the repotted trees, water thoroughly, then allow surface to dry. ( say top 1/2 to 3/4 inch of soil level. ) Before watering again. Once new growth is evident fertilize lightly with Low NPK liquid or Organic are my preference. Full sun this time of year is ok, partial shade by the beginning of July in most areas! If you did a lot of root work then I would mist the foliage daily, avoiding heavy moss accumulations. Physical removal of moss will help to improve airflow and reduce fungal issues as well. Once established hemlock are very strong trees.
Best wishes

 

[JudyB]

There are moss sprays that are derived from potassium salts from fatty acid that are labeled as safe for spraying around ornamentals, don't know how safe they are. I got a thing from Kaizen bonsai last year that was supposed to be safe and kill moss, and then the moss would just naturally blow off the bark. I know that @MACH5 told he he was trying it as well. I didn't see a whole lot of success with it, but it didn't hurt anything either.

 

[sorce]

You can eye dropper the vinegar onto each light green tip.
That should be a small enough amount to be safe.

A ball filling needle and a kids nose sucker.

It's probly worth a little close one on one time to do it. You always learn a lot.

Sorce

 

[Jpxc17]

You guys are great! That's why I come here for advice!

 

[MACH5]

There are moss sprays that are derived from potassium salts from fatty acid that are labeled as safe for spraying around ornamentals, don't know how safe they are. I got a thing from Kaizen bonsai last year that was supposed to be safe and kill moss, and then the moss would just naturally blow off the bark. I know that @MACH5 told he he was trying it as well. I didn't see a whole lot of success with it, but it didn't hurt anything either.

Same here Judy. Best thing thus far has been straight up vinegar. I don't dilute it. It will take several days but you'll see the moss changing color as it dies.

 

[Jpxc17]

MACH5, is it safe to spray on the foliage? I'm currently going through each tree thoroughly and pulling off as much as I can find. Obviously tedious but I'm in quarantine so great timing!

 

[MACH5]

MACH5, is it safe to spray on the foliage? I'm currently going through each tree thoroughly and pulling off as much as I can find. Obviously tedious but I'm in quarantine so great timing!

If you are referring to the product, then yes it is harmless to foliage.

 

[sdavis]

Same here Judy. Best thing thus far has been straight up vinegar. I don't dilute it. It will take several days but you'll see the moss changing color as it dies.

I killed a tree using a small amt of straight up vinegar. Next time I am diluting it at least 50% or more....