Although moss growth is generally harmless to trees, in rare cases it can weigh down branches, cause bark rot, or allow bacteria and insects to flourish. In most cases, moss growth is not a serious threat to trees. Moss does not send roots into your tree and steal nutrients. However, moss often grows on weak or diseased trees, so an increase in moss growth may be a sign that the host tree is sick.
What Does it Mean When Moss is Growing on a Tree?
Mosses flourish in shady, wet areas. So, if your healthy tree is being overtaken by moss it may be due to excessive moisture and/or a very shady canopy of branches. A little bit of moss or lichen growing on a tree is natural for vigorous trees. Moss also only grows in areas with good air quality, so moss growth is often the sign of a healthy environment.
- Small to medium quantities of moss growth are common on healthy trees.
- Moss is especially prone to flourishing on trees in wet, shady areas of your yard.
- Excessive moss growth may be a sign that your tree is sick or dying.
- Moss doesn’t often cause tree death but it grows quickly on struggling trees.
It’s easy to see why aggressive moss growth is mistaken for a harmful tree killer. Heavy infestations of moss commonly occur when trees are already sick or dying. As tree branches lose foliage, the moss is able to spread more aggressively. If your tree is losing leaves and moss is spreading rapidly, this is a sign your tree is probably very sick. While the moss isn’t the culprit for your tree’s struggles, it is a warning sign that your tree is in danger.
Is Moss on Tree Trunks Harmful?
In the majority of cases, moss is not harmful to trees. Moss doesn’t send roots into your tree or steal nutrients from it. Instead, moss filters all the moisture and nutrients it needs from the air. As long as your tree has thick bark (such as an oak tree) then moss is very unlikely to do damage to the tree.
- Moss on tree bark is not typically harmful.
- Moss does not destroy tree bark with roots or steal nutrients from trees.
- In rare cases, moss can cause bark rot due to moisture trapped against the trunk by moss.
- There is a slight risk of bacteria or insects within the moss causing harm to your tree.
It’s not common, but moss can damage trees. An overabundance of moss growth on the trunk can trap moisture, causing the bark to rot. Tree branches with a heavy layer of moss can break and fall. Moss can also harbor harmful bacteria, fungus, and insects. If your moss-covered oak is dripping sap then moss growth may be giving harmful insects a place to hide and attack your tree.
Should Moss Be Removed From Tree Trunks?
If you believe your tree has a large enough moss infestation that it may need to be removed, consult a tree professional to determine if the extra weight of the moss is truly harmful. In most cases, moss growth on trees is harmless and can be left alone.
- Consult an arborist to determine if your tree needs moss removal.
- Moss can be removed with this moss killer spray.
- You can also remove moss by hand or with a power washer.
If you want to get rid of moss growing on trees yourself there are a few simple methods that work. You can use a moss killer spray that is safe for trees and grass, or you can simply peel moss off the trunk with your hands. If your tree has very thick bark, it may even be possible to remove the moss by using a pressure washer on a very gentle setting. Just be sure not to damage the bark layer as you remove the moss.
- Kills moss, algae, lichen, mold, and mildew wherever it grows.
- The perfect 2-in-1 killer and cleaner for lawns, patios, roofs, buildings, decks, mulch, and more.
- Kills within hours over a large coverage area.
Should You Remove Moss From Fruit Trees?
There is typically no need to remove moss from a fruit tree. Moss on fruit trees is not harmful in most cases. Moss and trees live together without harming each other. You only need to consider removing moss from your fruit trees if it is weighing down branches or if the bark looks diseased and rotten near patches of moss and lichen.
- There is not typically any need to remove moss from fruit trees.
- Only plan to remove moss if your fruit tree’s branches are overloaded by moss or the bark is damaged.
- Remove moss from fruit trees in winter when the branches are bare.
- Use a soft brush to gently scrub moss growth off the bark.
If you do wish to remove moss from your fruit tree, do so during the tree’s winter dormancy. This will prevent you from harming any fruit, leaves, or blooms. Use a soft-bristled brush—such as a toothbrush—to remove the moss. Work carefully to avoid damaging the thin bark present on many varieties of fruit trees.
Does Tree Moss Kill Trees?
Moss growing on your tree is not deadly. Consider these facts before you begin the moss removal process:
- Moss grows on trees but does not send roots through the bark or steal nutrients from the tree.
- It’s very rare for moss to carry tree-killing diseases.
- Although moss grows aggressively on sick or dying trees, moss is not the cause of tree death.
- In rare cases moss can break branches or bring rot, bacteria, and insects to the tree.
Despite the common belief that moss kills trees, in most cases trees and moss grow together in harmony. Don’t worry if there’s some moss growth on your shade trees or fruit trees. Moss is part of a healthy forest environment and is adapted to coexist with trees.
