I have a copy of Brodo et al. (2001) "Lichens of North America" in my library. (It's good exercise just pulling that massive tome off the shelf.) Of 30 spp of Usnea known from North America, they show only three species ranging into CenTex: amblyoclada, cirrosa, and trichodea. The first two look nothing like the typical "Spanish moss" variety of Usnea but the third species is a very good match. See, for instance: http://lichenportal.org/portal/taxa/index.php?taxon=54706
Bill Dodd
2015-04-00
Sat Apr 11 2015 09:04:46 GMT-0500 (CDT)
United States of America, Texas, 78735, Austin, TX, US
Growing on Juniperus ashei. Was very excited to find that this Usnea lichen was growing here. We initially mis-identified it as Spanish Moss (Tillandsia usneoides).