No moss on the Oak Tree??

[PR1234]

Buying a new house that has an oak tree in back yard. It is an estate and the son says to his knowledge there has NEVER been any moss on it. Don't get me wrong, I am HAPPY there is none, but wondering what does that mean? Seems like every oak tree we've seen has moss unless it has been removed????

[dbussone]

Buying a new house that has an oak tree in back yard. It is an estate and the son says to his knowledge there has NEVER been any moss on it. Don't get me wrong, I am HAPPY there is none, but wondering what does that mean? Seems like every oak tree we've seen has moss unless it has been removed????

I would guess it has either been removed, or it is not a live oak.

[zcaveman]

Maybe the air spores that germinate the moss in the oaks are not in the right flight path.

Spanish moss - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish_moss)

Z

[chuckinca]

The Live Oak in our back yard is 10 years old (it was a sapling when we bought the house) and doesn't have Spanish Moss on it. I believe most of the Live Oaks that are about that age that I have seen don't have Spanish Moss while older and larger ones nearby do have it.

Could be that the age of the tree matters.

.

[blueash]

Maybe the air spores that germinate the moss in the oaks are not in the right flight path.

Spanish moss - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish_moss)

Z

Spanish moss is not a moss but rather a flowering air plant. It reproduces not by spores but rather:

What you need to know about Spanish moss - LSU AgCenter (http://text.lsuagcenter.com/news_archive/2010/january/get_it_growing/What-you-need-to-know-about-Spanish-moss.htm)

In nature, most new Spanish moss plants sprout from a seed. The tiny, greenish flowers of Spanish moss produce a seed pod that turns brown and splits open when it’s mature. The seeds inside are equipped with feathery parachutes that allow them to float through the air like dandelion seeds until they lodge on a tree trunk or other suitable spot to grow. Strands and tiny pieces of moss carried to new locations by wind or birds also can grow into new plants.

[red tail]

it only grows on in areas of the tree that is sparse of leaves. the young trees usually are full of leaves whereas the older trees tend to have lots of open areas waiting for the spores.

[Bogie Shooter]

Spanish moss is not a moss but rather a flowering air plant. It reproduces not by spores but rather:

What you need to know about Spanish moss - LSU AgCenter (http://text.lsuagcenter.com/news_archive/2010/january/get_it_growing/What-you-need-to-know-about-Spanish-moss.htm)

it only grows on in areas of the tree that is sparse of leaves. the young trees usually are full of leaves whereas the older trees tend to have lots of open areas waiting for the spores.

This is what I like about TOTV...........you can form your own opinion!:confused:

[gomoho]

Like>

[red tail]

This is what I like about TOTV...........you can form your own opinion!:confused:

tried to make it simple. here is the official reason

What you need to know about Spanish moss - LSU AgCenter (http://text.lsuagcenter.com/news_archive/2010/january/get_it_growing/What-you-need-to-know-about-Spanish-moss.htm)

[PR1234]

Thanks all. I didn't want to know what Spanish Moss was....wanted to know why my tree didn't have any. From some of your answers it sounds like our tree just isn't old enough. Learn something new everyday ;-)

[dotti105]

I thought that the Live Oaks can be hosts to Spanish Moss, but the Laurel Oaks cannot.

I also understood that the Laurel Oaks do not live as long, have weaker limbs are are more likely to be damaged in storms. They also, If I am correct, have a lifespan of 40 yrs or so, where as the Live Oak can live for 60-100 yrs.

TV doesn't use Live Oaks in yards of new homes. Just the Laurel Oaks.

Again, this is what I recall.....could be wrong.

[asianthree]

Well in Savannah if there is no moss growing on the trees it means that it has a high activity of ghosts. Read it in their travel information, while I was in Savannah. I have no idea if it's true but they have a park that many people where hung and there is not one piece of moss anywhere in the park but across the street all of the same trees have them. The Gullah men, women and children do not enter the park, for that reason, but instead walk around the city block park. So add that to why or why not.

[graciegirl]

Only in The Villages could I start off my day by reading a discussion on matters such as this.

I have to say. Boy Howdy.

And Good Morning. It is a beautiful day in The Villages where some oak trees have moss and some dogs have fleas.

[PR1234]

Well in Savannah if there is no moss growing on the trees it means that it has a high activity of ghosts. Read it in their travel information, while I was in Savannah. I have no idea if it's true but they have a park that many people where hung and there is not one piece of moss anywhere in the park but across the street all of the same trees have them. The Gullah men, women and children do not enter the park, for that reason, but instead walk around the city block park. So add that to why or why not.

Oh great.....just what I wanted to hear!!!!

[graciegirl]

Oh great.....just what I wanted to hear!!!!


It COULD be the spirit of the great and benevolent Gary Morse.

But I don't believe in Ghosts. I vote for the other kind of oak tree.

Hurry on down so we can welcome you home.

[asianthree]

Oh great.....just what I wanted to hear!!!!

As long as they are friendly it can be a good thing. Keeps people off your lawn. :pepper2:

[cquick]

Spanish moss will grow on almost anything!

I have even pulled a little tiny plant from the top of an irrigation post in my landscaping! :laugh:

[Bonanza]

I thought that the Live Oaks can be hosts to Spanish Moss, but the Laurel Oaks cannot.

I also understood that the Laurel Oaks do not live as long, have weaker limbs are are more likely to be damaged in storms. They also, If I am correct, have a lifespan of 40 yrs or so, where as the Live Oak can live for 60-100 yrs.

TV doesn't use Live Oaks in yards of new homes. Just the Laurel Oaks.

Again, this is what I recall.....could be wrong.

You are correct, Dotti. The lifespan of a laurel oak is about 1/2 of that of the live oak, more or less. The laurel oak's growth is more upight as compared to the live oak which at maturity spreads to about 50' wide by 50' tall.

A good rule of thumb to remember is that the faster the growth of a tree, the shorter the lifespan.