I have very recent experience with this (in the last 2 months) and the tree moss that I peeled off of pruned trees has so far stayed alive on the ground. It was about 25 sq feet of moss from large tree branches and I planted a patch of moss near a running stream. It is still alive! This is a very shady moist location though so this probably helps. I also collected 6 different types of mosses from the property and made a little moss garden in a large pot saucer. I used spaghnum moss as a base for it and found that today it had attached itself to the moss. I spray it every other day to keep it wet. So I think it is possible...good luck.

Hello!
I have a terrarium with two mosses from Portland in it. Both from fallen tree branches and both are growing on my soil.(I live on the east side so I have to have it in there). The two moss types are Fern Moss (Hylocomium splendens) and Mousetail moss (Isothecium myosuroides)--very common on maples. It will take time to take off though. Good luck!!!