Oak Moss is the term used in perfumery for a lichen (Evernia prunastri) that grows on the trunks and branches of several tree species, depending on humidity and light conditions.
This lichen is harvested in Morocco (on evergreen oak trees) and in the Balkans, mainly in Macedonia.
In several highland regions of Macedonia, Oak Moss is gathered manually from oak, beech and fruit trees by shepherds, who use a tool to scrape the branches and trunks. The "moss" must be detached from the trunk, cleaned and dried. It is then compacted into balls for export.
Biolandes produces Oak Moss extracts at its subsidiary in Bulgaria, near the source of the raw material.
Due to changing regulations on Oak Moss extracts, Biolandes has developed a low-atranol absolute that complies with IFRA standards.