EXTENSION CORNER: Moss can be beautiful, but it's not in everyone's landscape plans

Published: Wednesday, May 28, 2014 at 6:53 p.m. Last Modified: Wednesday, May 28, 2014 at 6:56 p.m.

We need trees for many, many reasons. Ecologically, trees reduce air pollution filtering the air we breathe. Leaves absorb ozone, carbon monoxide, and sulfur dioxide and release precious oxygen. Storm water runoff is greatly reduced as trees intercept the water even reducing flooding possibilities.

Trees provide homes for wildlife and, of course, tree houses for us. The benefits of trees economically, environmentally and socially is overwhelming.

Probably the benefit that most of us think about first is shade. Strategically placed trees can cut down on cooling bills in the summer. I dont know of many people who place their picnic table out in an open area. No, we find picnic tables under trees ... in the shade. While you may think this article is about trees, its not. Its about shade, the shade trees provide in our landscapes.

Many phone calls come in this time of year pertaining to lawns. Some are questions about weed infestations, but a lot have to do with moss moss overtaking the lawn.

This is a bit of tale moss is not actually taking over the lawn. Rather, moss grows in conditions that arent favorable for the growth of lawns. Lucky us, nature plants a ground cover where are grasses do not grow well.

Dani Carroll is the regional extension agent for home grounds, gardens, and home pests for Etowah County.

Mosses are small, green, primitive plants that have reduced leaves and a mass of fine, threadlike stems. Mosses produce their own food and do not take steal nutrients and water from our lawn grasses.

Mosses are able to absorb nutrients directly from the air when the humidity is right. They form a low green mat atop the soil an excellent ground cover. I, personally, love the light, almost lime green color of some of our mosses. There are more than 400 species of moss (liverworts and algae, too) that grow in the Southeastern U.S. Many homeowners may gasp at the thought of moss growing in the landscape, but it is quite beautiful and has been a part of Japanese gardens for years. Feel lucky if you have moss growing, it is a good bio-indicator of air and water quality.

Dani Carroll is the regional extension agent for home grounds, gardens, and home pests for Etowah County.

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EXTENSION CORNER: Moss can be beautiful, but it's not in everyone's landscape plans