White pine moss on trunk

[Greenpoint Vince]

The last week or so I’ve noticed some moss starting to grow on a white pine I recently acquired. It’s happening to most of my conifers to be honest. Just want to see if it’s something I should remedy. First year using fish and kelp emulsion wonder if that has something to do with it. I just brushed it off with a tooth brush on a larch I have. Anyways. Any advice is appreciated as always.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

I use tweezers and an old toothbrush. This stuff, circled is what you really need to remove. It is invasive and aggressive.

 

[Greenpoint Vince]

Thanks Brian!

 

[Shibui]

Agree. That cute looking plant is a real survivor and can take over. a quick wipe with glyphosate will finish it but keep vigilant. If there's seed in the soil (and there almost certainly is - I can see flowers and seed pods on a couple) you'll be getting new seedlings for up to 5 years.

Unwanted moss can be killed with vinegar. I use 50/50 vinegar and water mix and spray onto unwanted moss which dies in a day or 2. Try not to get too much of the vinegar spray on the leaves you want but it doesn't seem to affect the trees in the pots.

 

[Greenpoint Vince]

Agree. That cute looking plant is a real survivor and can take over. a quick wipe with glyphosate will finish it but keep vigilant. If there's seed in the soil (and there almost certainly is - I can see flowers and seed pods on a couple) you'll be getting new seedlings for up to 5 years.

Unwanted moss can be killed with vinegar. I use 50/50 vinegar and water mix and spray onto unwanted moss which dies in a day or 2. Try not to get too much of the vinegar spray on the leaves you want but it doesn't seem to affect the trees in the pots.

Thanks so much!

 

[Paradox]

That stuff will advance up the trunk of the tree and cover the bark. Its relentless.

I've used a small artists paint brush to brush vinegar onto the bark and really soak the moss growing on the bark and kill it. Then go back with very fine tweezers to pick most of it off.
Tedious and pain staking work but necessary to keep your bark in good shape

 

[Greenpoint Vince]

Picked up a small painters brush today and will do that over the weekend on all my trees. Thanks for the advice!