Yes
Manual Removal. Certain types of lichens and mosses -- such as Spanish moss -- can be manually removed from small trees and shrubs. Manual removal may require a ladder if the lichen or moss is growing in a hard-to-reach area. A friend should be present to hold the ladder steady while you are on it. Image: Julie McConnell, UF/IFAS. Spanish moss and lichen have earned an inaccurate reputation for damaging trees and shrubs in the Florida landscape. Although they may be found in plants that are in decline or showing stress symptoms, they are simply taking advantage of space available to survive. Ball moss, Spanish moss, lichens and mistletoe are commonly found growing on shade trees in Texas. Of these, only mistletoe is classed as a parasitic plant on ornamental shade trees. Lichens, ball moss, and Spanish moss, although found on trees, are not feeding on the tree, but only using the tree for support. Mistletoe. (Pharadendron engelmanni). Mistletoe is a tree parasitic plant that derives its food directly from trees. Spanish moss. Image: Julie McConnell, UF/IFAS. Lichen are more commonly found on plants that are in poor health because they need a plant that is growing slowly and access to sunlight. These conditions can typically be found in thin canopies of trees and shrubs under stress. Spanish moss (Tillandsia usneoides) is one of the most misunderstood plants found throughout the Deep South. To native South Carolinians, these gray strands draping from the branches of live oaks and other trees are a natural part of the scenery, while many newcomers fear that it may be killing their trees.
http://homeguides.sfgate.com/kills-lichen-moss-trees-shrubs-77073.html http://nwdistrict.ifas.ufl.edu/hort/2014/02/18/common-myths-about-spanish-moss-and-lichen/ http://www.plantanswers.com/garden_column/mar03/3.htm http://nwdistrict.ifas.ufl.edu/hort/2014/02/18/common-myths-about-spanish-moss-and-lichen/ http://www.clemson.edu/extension/hgic/pests/plant_problems/hgic2354.html
is spanish moss a lichen