It is found in North America, where it grows from the branches of conifer trees.

The lichen was described as a new species in 2013 by Saara Velmala, Leena Myllys, and Trevor Goward.

The specific epithet kockiana honours Henry Kock, a horticulturalist from Ontario whose widow won an environmental fund-raising auction to purchase the right to name the species.

Pseudocyphellae (tiny pores that allow gas exchange) are brownish white to white, broad and elongated or filament-shaped and often raised somewhat, measuring 0.2–1.0 mm long by 0.1 mm wide.

[2] Bryoria kockiana is endemic to North America, where it grows on conifer branches.