How To Remove Moss From A Tree Trunk
Posted on: 27 August 2015
Do you have moss growing up the trunk of your tree? Not only is this unsightly, but it's not healthy for the tree, either. While having the tree professionally sprayed with herbicides may work, the chemicals used for this purpose (copper sulfate and lime sulfur) are hazardous to the environment. Thus, you should attempt to remove the moss physically before resorting to sprays. Follow these steps to do just that.
Step 1: Pull off big clumps off moss.
Put on a pair of gloves so you don't end up with scratched hands. Though moss is soft, its underside can sometimes be abrasive when conditions are dry. To remove the moss, just start grabbing chunks of it and peeling it off the tree trunk. It's usually easiest to start at the top of the moss growth (use a ladder, if needed) and work your way down. Dispose of the moss by burning it or sending it away in the trash. If you leave it in a compost heap, it may simply cling to a new surface and keep growing.
Step 2: Power wash the tree.
You might feel silly power washing the tree trunk, but this will help remove the last bits of moss so they don't proliferate and cover your tree in moss again. Once again, start at the top and work your way down. Put the power washer on a moderately strong setting. You should be using a setting that applies a good deal of force, but that would not be overly painful if you stepping in front of the water stream. You may have to go over the tree several times until the moss is gone.
Step 3: Address conditions that contributed to moss growth.
Moss likes to grow in moist, shady areas. To keep in from growing on your tree again, you'll need to make the area brighter and dryer. Is there standing water nearby? Dig a ditch or have your drainage system improved so that it dissipates. Have your tree pruned so that more sunlight reaches the tree trunk. Ensure your tree care professional knows that your goal is to have more sun reach the tree's trunk, so he or she cuts your tree in a way that allows this.
If the moss grows back, in spite of following the tips above, then it may be time to resort to chemical control measures. Make sure you work with an experienced landscaper (such as one from R. L. Elliott Enterprises, Inc.) to ensure the chemicals applied to your tree don't end up harming nearby animals and plants.
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