Mistletoe

by Kevin Bassett & Russell Peters, Plant Pathologists, Consulting Arborists

Winter is upon us and it is common for our trees to go without attention. The dormant season is actually a very good time to prune many of our shade and ornamental trees. One of the most obvious concerns we deal with this time of year is mistletoe.

This plant is a parasite that derives its nutrients and moisture from the tree it has infected. Infections left to develop in trees can lead to weakened areas in larger limbs and thus can potentially result in limb failure (breakage).  Once the mistletoe plant matures, seeds are produced which spread throughout the tree canopy, causing many additional infection sites.  Our mistletoe control program often involves removal of entire branches or twigs infected with mistletoe.  When large limbs or limbs critical to the structure of the tree are infected we remove only the mistletoe; however, regrowth will occur.  Mistletoe removal will be necessary about every two or three years on average. This will address regrowth of old infections and new infections that occur on susceptible tree species.

The North Texas area has a number of susceptible tree species, many of which are growing in our residential landscapes. Cedar Elm is the most susceptiblehigh value species where we see mistletoe infections. Some of the other species include American Elm, Hackberry, Mulberry, Ash, and Bois d’Arc.  Winter is also a common time for new infections to occur, as birds will consume the fruit that has now matured, and deposit seeds throughout the canopies of susceptible trees.

We can remove mistletoe at anytime of the year. However, it is much more visible during the dormant season and in most cases more easily removed during this time of year.

Another important process that is often overlooked at this time of year is deep root fertilization. This process applies a high quality organic fertilizer directly to the root zone of our urban shade trees. This material is available for uptake by the tree or plant for six to eight months. Our southern soils rarely, if ever, freeze and soil temperatures are generally quite favorable for root growth and development this time of year. The application of fertilizer is applied under pressure, which aids in aeration and provides uniform distribution throughout the root zone of the tree.  Many times the lack of oxygen alone can be the most limiting element in healthy root growth. This is especially true in our heavy clay soils in much of the North Texas area.

Please call one of our qualified ISA Certified Arborists to assist you in mistletoe removal or costs for deep root fertilization.

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