My very old pear tree has increasingly more moss and lichen covering it every year. Is it smart to spray a light application of domant oil on it at this time of year? I'm thinking of also spraying a deciduous Magnolia. Thanks, Tara Vancouver, BC
The moss and lichen don't harm it at all, they're just using the bark as a parking space. So no need to spray anything on at all.
Normally with dormant oil you would be trying to kill eggs of overwintering nuisance bugs that were attacking the tree and interfering with results.
Michael and Ron, thanks for the reply. The moss on these old trees is very beautiful so I shall just leave them be. tara