Ball Moss

(Tillandsia recurvata)           by Jerry Naiser

Ball Moss is not a Parasite, it is
an Epiphyte. Ball Moss has caused
concern with Texas home owners for
many years. It grows on the bark of
many Austin, Texas shade trees; the
Live Oak, Cedar Elm, Post Oak,
Hackberry, Tallow and many others.

Ball Moss first occurs as small
grey-green tufts. It is composed of
many individual plants that develop
into a dense "ball" in a short amount
of time. These holdfasts often
completely encircle a limb.

Spread is primarily by airborne
spore. Ball Moss thrives in low
light, high humidity areas. Ball Moss
kills by suffocation and deprivation of
sunlight. It takes nothing from the
tree. It first kills smaller branches,
which often leads to large branches.
Ball Moss jeopardizes the
aesthetics of a tree, as well as its
health.

The use of the fungicide, Kocide
101 at the rate of 4 to 6 pounds per
100 gallons of water will control the
plant. Kocide is labeled for year
around use.