Thursday, 11 November 2010

Moss - good or bad?

A lot of moss has grown around the base of my two standard Bay trees. Should I be worried? Should I try to remove it? Not sure. Maybe it will act as a mulch? Or maybe it will consume all the nutrients and starve the Bay tree to death? Can anyone advise me about this please?



It actually looks quite appealing, so maybe I'll just leave it...


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8 comments:

  1. nic@nipitinthebud11 November 2010 at 19:29

    I have no moss related knowledge or experience whatsoever.
    I always marvel at how natural woodland sustains itself so beautifully without any human interference and moss is often to be found in abundance. So from that I would conclude it doesn't damage trees and like you I think there's a natural attractiveness about it. If you wanted to be rid of it I'd guess it would take some fairly harsh chemicals so faced with that as an alternative I'd embrace the 'good'ness of moss :o)

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  2. HORT WILLIAMS11 November 2010 at 22:43

    moss in woodlands is fine but when growing on the top of your compost it means that the pot is holding a lot of water which is not good for bay. and also it is a sign that the compost is stale and the compost needs refreshing. either repot in to a bigger pot or take the tree from it's pot remove all the outer comost. don't wory about breaking any root's new fiborus roots will soon regrow. then replant back into the pot with gravel for dranage in the bottom and good quality compost around the sides and top never plant the main stem lower than it was before. not only will it help with the moss problem but wil give a new lease of life to the plant it is good to do this every couple of years.

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  3. Mark Willis12 November 2010 at 06:53

    Thanks for your comprehensive advice Hort! When is the best time of year to re-pot the trees then?

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  4. takaeko12 November 2010 at 15:08

    Have you ever seen "Bonsai tree" or traditional Japanese gardens? Most of them are covered with beautiful green moss which give serene and austere beauty to the scene. I think the moss on your trees are beautiful too.

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  5. Mark Willis12 November 2010 at 15:14

    Hi Takaeko; Yes I have seen some Bonsai in the past. I see what you mean -- many of them do perfectly well with moss all around. Now I am even more confused: the experts are advising me on different courses of action! I shall think further on this matter over Winter...

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  6. HORT WILLIAMS12 November 2010 at 16:55

    early spring just before the tree comes back into growth is the best time but if you bring your bay indoors in the winter as some people in more colder areas do then anytime in the next month or two is good as the tree will put on a small amount of root on through the winter.

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  7. Janet/Plantaliscious13 November 2010 at 08:52

    I have no moss expertise, but I think it looks beautiful. I am delighted to have moss growing on stones around my pond now. Mind you, it does like damp, so I guess it depends on how happy your Bay Tree is looking?

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  8. fer13 November 2010 at 10:29

    I think it looks great! also I doubt it would take that many nutrients. I think the same as takaeko they usually have them at bonsai pots where there is very little soil, so my guess is a little might be ok. Just don't let it get too much just in case

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