Posts Tagged ‘mistletoe control’

Mistletoe is the common name for a parasitic flowering plant that grows attached to, and within, the vascular system of a tree or shrub. There are many different species of mistletoe, including some that are dwarf in size. All of them have root systems that are imbedded in the trunk, branches or twigs of a host tree, and because they extract nutrients (or plant food) as well as water for survival, they are not good for the health of your trees. (Would you want a parasite sitting at your table and eating your food as fast as you can bring it home? If you have teenagers, maybe you understand how a tree with mistletoe feels!) Note that some species of mistletoe do produce a portion of their own food through photosynthesis because they have leaves.

Mistletoe can affect a wide range of host plants and can spread to lower portions of a tree once it becomes established. It is also spread from tree to tree by birds, which feed on the seeds and deposit them in nearby trees.  Mistletoe is an important component of the ecology in our area because a broad range of animals depend on it for food and habitat (such as roosting and nesting for birds).

Mistletoe does not normally kill a tree, but it can be a contributing factor in a tree’s loss if the tree has other problems. Mistletoe stays green in the winter when its host tree goes dormant, so if your elm looks like an evergreen tree this winter, you know you have a problem — utopia for a bird, but a plague for the elm. Unfortunately, limbs or trunks containing mistletoe can become weaker in strength, which increases the potential for structural failure (or breakage).

Assuming mistletoe has become a problem, smaller branches and twigs that are affected can be removed entirely to prevent its spread to other parts of the tree. Mistletoe in larger limbs or trunks can be removed at the bark, but it typically re-grows within a few months. Do not cut into the tree to remove mistletoe.

Re-growth of mistletoe can produce seeds within a few seasons and should be removed every two to three years to reduce its spread. Many species of mistletoe rely on only one host (oak, elm, or others); therefore, planting a diversity of species can help to suppress the spread.

Some mistletoe species are known to be poisonous, while a few are reported by herbalists to have medicinal qualities.

Mistletoe is commonly hung over a doorway as a Christmas decoration. According to custom, two people who meet under it are obliged to kiss. After each kiss, a berry is picked until, alas, all the berries are gone, and no more kissing is allowed!

If you need a big smooch or you’re a naturalist, mistletoe is a treasure. If a tree`s health or structural integrity is a concern, it’s a parasite.

A bird (or sprig or kiss) in the hand is better than two mistletoes in the bush!

Professional mistletoe removal by Certified Arborists. Call 866-552-7267 or click to schedule your appointment today.

About the author: Steve Houser is a Dallas native with more than 30 years of experience as a consulting arborist. He is the president of Arborilogical Services Inc., “The Experts Your Trees Deserve.”

Mistletoe is often associated with peace or romance during the holiday season, when in fact, this holiday symbol is actually a harmful parasite of trees.

Invasive Mistletoe

Mistletoe derives its nutrients and moisture from the tree it infects.  Over time, it can weaken areas in large branches resulting in limb failure.  In severe cases, mistletoe can cause a tree to die; this is especially true during periods of drought.

Winter is a great time to address mistletoe in your trees as it is more visible as trees lose their foliage.   North Texans have several susceptible tree species growing in our landscapes.  Cedar Elm, a highly valued tree, is the most commonly infected. Other species include American Elm, Hackberry, Mulberry, Ash, and Bois d’Arc.  All of these species lose their leaves in the winter, revealing the unsightly, evergreen mistletoe.

Winter is also when mistletoe berries mature and spread throughout the tree canopy.  Birds love snacking on the mature berries.  Our feathered friends transport the parasite’s seed to other susceptible tree species in their droppings which creates new infection sites.

To control mistletoe, we remove entire branches or twigs with the parasite.  When large limbs or limbs critical to the structure of the tree are infected we remove the mistletoe only, not the limb.  However, mistletoe regrowth will occur throughout the year.  Mistletoe removal, on average, is necessary about every 2 – 3 years. This addresses the regrowth of old infections, as well as new infections that continually occur on susceptible species.

We can remove mistletoe at anytime of the year.  However, it is much more visible and in most cases more easily removed during winter.  Call one of our qualified ISA Certified Arborists today to help your trees with mistletoe management.

Winter is upon us and many times our trees 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 things 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 thus resulting in limb failure.  Once the mistletoe plant matures, seeds are produced which spread throughout the tree canopy, causing multiple infection sites.  Our mistletoe control program is directed toward removing entire branches or twigs infected with mistletoe.  When large limbs or limbs critical to the structure of the tree are infected we remove the mistletoe only, however regrowth occurs.  Mistletoe removal will be necessary about ever 2 to 3 years on average.  This will address regrowth of old infections as well as new infections that will constantly occur on susceptible species.

The North Texas area has a number of susceptible species, many of which are growing in our residential landscapes.  Cedar Elm by far is the most susceptible high value species where we see mistletoe infections.  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 species.  We can remove mistletoe anytime of the year.  However, it is much more visible during the dormant season and in most cases more easily removed this time of year.

Another important process that can be forgotten this time of year is deep root fertilization.  Our process utilizes a high quality organic fertilizer solution applied directly to the root area of our urban shade trees.  This material will be available for uptake by the tree or plant for 6-8 months.  Many of us forget our southern soils rarely, if ever, freeze and soil temperatures are generally quite favorable for root growth and development this time of year.  The mixture we use is applied under pressure which aids in aeration of the root zone as well as uniform distribution throughout the root area of our trees.  Many times the lack of oxygen alone can be the most limiting element in healthy root growth.  This is especially true in the heavy clay soils of North Texas.

Call one of our qualified I.S.A. Certified Arborists to assist you with a plan and an estimate of cost for mistletoe removal and/or deep root fertilization.