Maple moss monster

I recently learned that licorice ferns (Polypodium glycyrrhiza) often live on bigleaf maple trees (Acer macrophyllum). The ferns come out this time of year when the maples drop their leaves and let the light through. I had always admired this kind of moss monster, but I am only now realizing they are almost all maples. 💚

A photo of a temperate rainforest at eye level in winter. In front is a tree trunk covered in thick, lumpy, yellow-green moss and single fronds of licorice fern. Behind is a red cedar trunk and various green branches and shrubs.