I have a tree whose branches are covered with this mossy stuff (Photo). I’d like to pull it off now that the leaves have fallen. I can do it on the lower branches, although it takes a firm grip on the moss and a fair amount of force, maybe 10 pounds to pull off a handful. The problem is how to reach the upper branches. There are a lot of bushes growing right around the tree so getting a ladder up to the tree is problematic. It would be easier if there were some pole-mounted tool that I could use to pull the moss off the branches. But I’m not sure if there is such a tool that will grab the stuff firmly enough to pull it off. I tried using a pole-mounted branch pruner but the little jaw can’t really grab the moss very well, and just clips it off if I tighten it.
Any ideas about what kind of tool would work here?
Can’t tell from the photo or description what kind of height you’re dealing with. Looks/sounds like one person sitting on another’s shoulders might work.
Thirding the ID of Spanish moss. Unlike ivy it won’t damage the tree, not intentionally at least (eventually the weight of it could break off branches but you’d definitely notice that before it happens), so you don’t necessarily have to get rid of it.
If you insist on getting rid of it, I’d just get the longest pole I could find and attach a some kind of hook to the end.
Spanish moss (not actually a moss but a bromeliad) is not parasitic and takes all its nutrition from rain and dust in the air. It does no harm to the tree (except perhaps that very heavy growth can break branches, as has been mentioned). You may do more damage to the tree by removing it.
This is a 14-foot pole pruner. Lowe’s sells 'em for $39.95. It looks just like the one I’ve had for years. The shears are a hook with a blade that swings in when you pull the cord. I agree with Colibri, though. If it is Spanish moss, let it be. Pulling it off might even be illegal, not just a crime against nature.
The “Spanish moss” in the OP’s photo is actually a lichen that masquerades under that name in California. But like it’s bromeliad namesake, it’s not harming the tree at all.
I was wondering about that … we have what looks an awful lot like that here in Western Oregon … but Spanish moss isn’t known to grow here … and the stuff that does grow here is in NO WAY a flowering plant …
[later] … after a bit of hunting I’ve come up with lace lichen Ramalina menzieslii … the California state lichen in fact … flaming weird-oes … what next, the banana slug as a state university mascot? …
Thanks for all the input. This is indeed in California, so I guess it’s not Spanish moss. As to why I want to get rid of it, it’s fairly thick on some branches and they’re bending under the weight. I don’t think they’re in immediate danger of breaking, but I don’t like the situation and I don’t think it looks good. Furthermore, for about 10 months of the year this tree has thick leaves that almost completely hide the moss, so for the most part it’s irrelevant how it looks.
@AskNott, I mentioned in my OP that I tried a pole pruner, very much like the one you linked to. It can’t really grab the moss firmly enough to pull it off.
Maybe a long-handled hoe or rake (and another person). You could use a “reacher” (often used to get something down from a high shelf, for example), modifying or adapting it to the job at hand, but I doubt you’ll get the reach/grip you’re looking for. Best bet’s going to be a sturdy ladder (and another person).
I like purplehorseshoe’s recommendation so that the tree and surrounding shrubs won’t be damaged and you won’t get hurt. Failing that, the tool you are looking for is a high-reach garment hook or a shephard’s hook.
Of course not. There’s no requirement that a state have any official state symbols. Some years ago when I looked, every state didn’t even have a state song (I think only NJ didn’t have one, though). And there’s some idiosyncratic symbols, where a state has a symbol no other state has. I wouldn’t be at all surprised if this were one and that no other state has an official lichen. Doing a quick google, it looks like that’s the case, and it’s only been official for a couple years.
