Ball Moss Removal and Mistletoe Removal

There are a number of organisms that can directly affect the health of a tree. Some are invasive and work slowly, such as ball moss, while others are parasitic, such as mistletoe. Each of these, though different, can pose serious issues to any trees on your property or in your neighborhood. Ball moss and mistletoe can also spread easily. This is why ball moss removal and mistletoe removal is such an important aspect of services we provide at Good Morning Tree Service. We have proudly serviced Austin, Texas, and the surrounding Central Texas area for over 20 years.

The proliferation of ball moss, in particular, has become a serious problem, killing thousands of acres of native Central Texas trees. Ball moss is widely present in Central Texas, mostly in Live Oak trees. While all recognize that it is not a parasite like mistletoe (also widely prevalent in Central Texas), it can overload a tree’s under branches. It is often seen to be a precursor (but not the cause) of a tree’s death as the ball moss will concentrate on the dead and dying branches. Ball moss is airborne, so it is very difficult to completely and permanently remove it from all of your trees. If your neighbors still have ball moss, then you will again.

Ball moss grows well in areas with low light, little airflow, and high humidity, which is commonly provided by southern shade trees, such as Live Oaks. Ball moss are circular photosynthesizers ranging in size from a golf ball to a softball. It is not a parasite like mistletoe. Ball moss is typically removed by hand. Other ways of removing this is with a high-pressure spray of plain water or a baking soda mixture, to slow down the ball moss’s attaching process. In the past, some arborists have removed ball moss using a fungicide that contains copper, but have since found that that process does not work very well.

At Good Morning Tree service, we’ve done our homework and we work hard to ensure ball moss removal and mistletoe removal is handled properly the first time around. While ball moss and mistletoe are invasive organisms that can return, the threat they pose if left unchecked is further compounded. Contact us today to ensure the health and safety of the trees around your home.