Live Oak and ball moss - Austin Arborist?

[Bob Wills]

I have some big live oaks that are slowly gaining more and more moss throughout the years. I imagine it would make sense to prune some of the bad areas and perhaps put down some fungicide (Kocide 101?), but I have a habit of killing most plants that I decide to "fix".

Anyone have a recommendation for an arborist in the Austin area? Also, I believe the best time to do this is between mid-February and May, right before or during the Spring rain. Is that still a good guideline?

 

[NickDanger]

I've done the Kocide and had tree monkeys pull and cut it out. I prefer the latter. Ball moss is a bromeliad and gets its nutrients from the air. If you look outside of town you will see it growing on bare electrical wires.

So...the moss is not a parasite. If you look closely, the moss will be thicker on dead branches than live ones. The air brings nutrients to the moss. The absence of leaves on a dead branch gives better air flow. When the moss gets a chance, it will move into a live branch without a ton of leaves. That, in turn, discourages leaves and eventually the moss will crowd out the leaves.

That's the way it was described to me by someone who made sense to me. I personally wouldn't see the need for an "arborist", but that's just my opinion. Sorry I don't have any reccommendations for arborists if that's the path you feel most comfortable with.

 

[chichantes]

I'm using these guys:The Link

to do pruning and general trimming of a couple of oaks and a bunch of cedar elms. Work has been scheduled, but not done yet. They'll come out and give you a rundown and an estimate. They're knowledgeable and reasonable. Call and ask for Micah.

 

[TexasEd]

yeah, you can see it growing on power lines near the mo-pac bridge over town lake.

 

[FridayNiteLites]

I think there's a guy out in Fredericksburg that sprays trees. He uses baking soda and water. It takes a few treatments, but kills the ball moss without damage to the trees. His name is Buzz White. I don't have any contact info, but I bet he's in the book. It's a non toxic approach.