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What is the furthest West and furthest North you have seen spanish moss?
Posted on 6/7/25 at 3:55 am
Posted on 6/7/25 at 3:55 am
I was driving in Houston. Been here 5 years and have never seen spanish moss. Until today I was driving on Memorial Dr headed West, right near the Arboretum where it splits and you have to choose North or South (Woodway), I saw spanish moss on a tree. Didn't expect it and can't tell if natural or placed there by the arboretum.
Furthest North I've seen towards this part of the country is Caddo Lake, which is ironic because it might have the most spanish moss of any lake I've seen. Talking more south central, I think North Carolina on coast might have some which would be further North than Caddo Lake. Also most of South Carolina is likely North of Caddo Lake.
Furthest North I've seen towards this part of the country is Caddo Lake, which is ironic because it might have the most spanish moss of any lake I've seen. Talking more south central, I think North Carolina on coast might have some which would be further North than Caddo Lake. Also most of South Carolina is likely North of Caddo Lake.
This post was edited on 6/7/25 at 3:58 am
5
Posted on 6/7/25 at 6:46 am to Saunson69
Lake Bistineau is as far north as I ever recall seeing.
Posted on 6/7/25 at 7:10 am to mdomingue
Northampton County, Virginia is as far north as it naturally grows.
Posted on 6/7/25 at 10:31 am to Saunson69
Fun fact. If you drive east on I-10 to Mout Belvieu and go north on SH 146 in-between Moss Hill and Rye TX there is a historical market on the east side of the highway. It says this area along the Trinity river was one of the proposed sites for the Capital of the State of Texas. The planners decided against this area because there was too much Spanish moss hanging in the trees. To them it ment to many flying and biting bugs and insects. Just a little bit too swampy. I think Spanish moss has more to do with the ecological region (there are 10 in Texas) of the Piney Woods than just going north.
Posted on 6/7/25 at 12:06 pm to Saunson69
Seen it west of Houston in Austin and Colorado Counties.
Edit: now that I think of it, seen it at the Grey Moss Inn in Helotes, TX. NW of San Antonio.
Edit: now that I think of it, seen it at the Grey Moss Inn in Helotes, TX. NW of San Antonio.
This post was edited on 6/7/25 at 12:10 pm
Posted on 6/7/25 at 8:47 pm to 76Forest
Is it natural? That's a kind of dry part of the country, 33 inches of rain a year, and it looks like it's just on the tree or two right by the place, but not on any other tree there. I always figured spanish moss needed a wet climate.
Another interesting observation I've had is that spanish moss in North West Louisiana I've found typically grows only in lakes or river oxbows, whereas you can find it away from bodies of water in South Louisiana.
Another interesting observation I've had is that spanish moss in North West Louisiana I've found typically grows only in lakes or river oxbows, whereas you can find it away from bodies of water in South Louisiana.
This post was edited on 6/7/25 at 8:53 pm
Posted on 6/7/25 at 9:02 pm to Saunson69
Hilton head SC for me.
Check that.
I was in New Bern nc and saw it on the Trent River.
Check that.
I was in New Bern nc and saw it on the Trent River.
This post was edited on 6/7/25 at 10:35 pm
Posted on 6/7/25 at 9:07 pm to Saunson69
Pretty sure I’ve seen it in south Texas and in the Hill Country.
Posted on 6/8/25 at 10:40 pm to Saunson69
Lots of pollution in Houston, lots of cars, lots of plants South of the city. Takes a toll on the moss.
Posted on 6/9/25 at 10:25 am to Saunson69
Southern Virginia and East Texas. Its not as common in Georgia and South Carolina as it used to be....noticeably missing in many areas and thinner than it used to be. Lots of theories as to why - climate change, air quality, natural ebb and flow of growth. Most likely the latter but it is noticeably less common and thinner than it used to be in our area. We also have alligators in abundance further north than they were just 20 years ago....and not just an occasional one who wonders northward over a mild winter but a sustained increase in the population year over year and further and further north, west and east of the Savannah River Valley. We have a WMA in town here that is marginal duck hunting and it used to be common for people to hunt with dogs there...one would hate a dog to do so now. 10 miles south of there it has always been a bad idea but they have moved into to stay now...they are everywhere.
Posted on 6/9/25 at 10:29 am to ecb
quote:
Lots of pollution in Houston, lots of cars, lots of plants South of the city. Takes a toll on the moss.
Apparently it is a harbinger of high air quality. Its noticeably missing and thinner in Savannah and Charleston today than it used to be. Lots more cars on the road in the area. Its almost ironic that it requires high air quality to survive when it hasn't been too long ago, and is still, thought that "swampy" areas were plagued with unhealthy air. Unhealthy humidity for certain but the air quality isn't inherently poor unless its in a populated area and thick humid air is harder to "clear out" than it would be in higher altitudes with lower humidity.
Posted on 6/9/25 at 11:28 am to AwgustaDawg
quote:I have not noticed this. The only place in Savannah it doesnt grow is that one square where they executed that woman in a public hanging, so it's hainted.
Its noticeably missing and thinner in Savannah and Charleston today than it used to be.
Posted on 6/9/25 at 3:41 pm to deeprig9
quote:
I have not noticed this. The only place in Savannah it doesnt grow is that one square where they executed that woman in a public hanging, so it's hainted.
She probably soiled herself and in that humidity the air quality ain't cleared yet!
I go to Beaufort a good bit and used to be that at places it'd be a solid canopy of live Oaks and the moss would block out the sun....it is still there but its not as thick, or not as thick as I remember. There have been some studies done that indicate it is getting thinner but of course there is no known cause...apparently like most living things it goes through boom and bust cyctles....
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