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Southern Gardening

spanish moss mystery

16 years ago

Does anyone know why spanish moss seems to grow on some trees and not others? For instance, my Live Oaks, Chestnut Oaks and Crepe Myrtles are covered in the stuff but my Hickories hardly have any, even though they are all growing next to each other.

I don't think it is roughness of bark because though the oaks do have scalier bark than the hickories, the Crepe Myrtle's bark is smoother still. I'm not trying to get rid of the moss, I'm just curious.

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Comments (3)

rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
16 years ago
It might be a response to allelopathy. Hickories belong to the same family as Black Walnut (Juglandaceae) and contain hydrajuglone in the leaves, bark, roots, etc.
bunnyvac6000
Original Author
16 years ago
Hydrajuglone, huh? I thought it must be some sort of resistance they have to the moss. Anyway, good to know. Thanks very much. I've wondered for years.
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rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
16 years ago
If the allelopathic properties are prohibiting the Spanish Moss seeds from germinating, then you 'could' call it a type of resistance.

Interesting, isn't it?

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