See the moss growing on the trees; Spanish moss is not a moss at all. Instead, it is a plant that grows hanging from tree branches but is not part of the tree at all. It grown in full sun or partial shade or wherever the climate is warm enough and has a relatively high average humidity. It grows mostly by particles that blow on the wind and stick to tree limbs and water from the air and rainfall. It sounds kind of gross but it gives everything an aged look.