Mistletoe - Easy to See and Eradicate in Winter

Mistletoe rarely infests Bradford Flowering Pear, Chinese Pistache, Crape Myrtle, Eucalyptus, Ginkgo, Golden Rain Tree, Liquidambar, Sycamore, Redwood, or Cedar. Now that the leaves have fallen, it becomes obvious if a tree is infected with mistletoe.

Yes, mistletoe has pleasant underpinnings as the place to get a 'kiss' during the holidays, but mistletoe is actually a parasite that will slowly destroy your tree. Mistletoe is a parasitic plant that absorbs both water and nutrients from the host tree. This method of propagation is shown in the name: Mistel which is the Anglo-Saxon word for dung, and Toe which is the word for twig; put together this becomes dung-on-a-twig. A fair warning of it's true severity.

Healthy trees can tolerate a few mistletoe infections. However, if the infestation is severe, trees can weaken, have stunted growth or dead branches, or die completely. Symptoms are magnified on trees already stressed by drought or disease. Remove branches at least a foot below the mistletoe attachment and before it produces seeds that will infest other limbs and trees.

Call us to learn more. If need be, we'll stop by to take a look at your trees and give you our expert advice. Tree health is our primary concern, and mistletoe must go if you want your trees to stay healthy for the long term.


All About Trees
318-415-0199

All About Trees

angela@aboutmytrees.com
http://www.aboutmytrees.com