LandscapingNews
February Landscaping Tips
Ball Moss
Scientific Name : Tillandsia recurvata Common Name : ball moss
• If you bought any fruit trees at the local sales , keep them in their pots for another month or two . Wait until the soil warms up to plant them and any chance of another freeze is gone . If another freeze is predicted , move them indoors and keep them protected .
• Prune back any woody shrubs and roses after any chance of a freeze has passed . Historically , February 14 is the date for this .
• Cut back Liriope .
• Plant new shrubs or trees as needed .
• Fertilize and prune established fruit and nut trees .
• Mulch before spring to help retain moisture built up during the winter .
• Keep your landscape irrigated in the event that we have no rain . Test your irrigation system if you have one to make sure that it is operating correctly . If it needs repairs , get this done before the spring rush .
Growth Habits : Ball moss is an epiphyte that perches on other plants and trees . It feeds off nutrients and moisture in the air . The problem with this particular plant is density and growth . Ball moss uses tendrils to attach itself to a branch which reduces circulation to the end of the branch . Typically , it will not kill a healthy tree , but if the infestation becomes too thick , it can kill branches and retard tree growth . Weak trees may be stressed to the point where they become more susceptible to insects or disease .
Control can be difficult on larger trees . It is best to remove as much as you can and seal it in a plastic bag for disposal . For severe infestations , contact your county extension office or a qualified arborist for suggested treatments .
Left untreated , ball moss can easily spread via wind and animals , causing severe damage to our lovely trees here in First Colony . Please address the trees on your property .
• Fertilize trees and shrubs so that the nutrients can be absorbed by the roots for spring growth .
• If needed , apply a pre-emergent herbicide that controls broad-leaf and grassy weeds .
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