Is There Any Reason That A Staghorn Fern Would Damage A Tree It Is Growing In?

Question

My friend brought me a staghorn pup and I just carelessly tossed it into the crook of my live oak growing by my front door. The tree is very large and healthy but since the fern sits in the part where the tree splits I worry a litte about it causing rot possibly and damaging the structural integrity of the tree? I hope that isn’t possible but felt I had better enquire. Thank you!

• 

Answer 1

Most sources say to mount it to a board or wire basket first, then mount that on a tree to facilitate the roots attaching. But staghorn ferns attach to trees in their native environments without any problems, so if yours attached to the tree on its own, I wouldn't worry about it.

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/foliage/staghorn-fern/mounting-staghorn-ferns.htm