Commonly, mistletoe is blamed for poor tree health. In most cases, it is the other way around. An overmature, declining, sparsely foliated tree allows mistletoe access to plenty of space and sunlight.

Commonly, mistletoe is blamed for poor tree health. In most cases, it is the other way around. An overmature, declining, sparsely foliated tree allows mistletoe access to plenty of space and sunlight.

Mistletoe is difficult and, in many cases, impractical to control due partly to the way it’s connected to the tree. And, mistletoe growing high up in the tree is difficult to reach. ...

Though growing from the tree, the mistletoe clump is not of the tree. It's an obligate hemiparasite, meaning it relies on the host, but with its chlorophyll-filled leaves, can produce some of its ...

Mistletoe robs trees of valuable nutrients, negatively impacting their overall health, especially in times of drought, freeze and exposure to herbicides commonly used in the lawn.

We may associate mistletoe with romance, but it’s actually a parasitic plant that can harm our forest’s trees — severe ...

Dwarf mistletoe will eventually kill the tree they feed off of. European mistletoe (Viscum album): This species of mistletoe is found throughout Europe, north Africa, central Asia, ...

Mistletoe may be a welcome holiday sight when hung over a doorway if a loved one is near. However, it can be an unwelcome intruder when found in your trees, according to a Texas A&M AgriLife ...

Trees infested with mistletoe die early because of the parasitic growth, producing dead trees useful to nesting birds and mammals. Three kinds of U.S. butterflies depend on mistletoe for ...

Mistletoe has a dark side because some species are bad for the environment. “It can harm and kill trees,” said Nicole Keleher, forest health director.

Today, European mistletoe occurs on at least 22 species of our common landscape trees, including maple (Acer spp.), callery pear (Pyrus calleryana), northern red oak (Quercus rubra), black locust ...

For many people, mistletoe is a pest, while for others, it is a symbol of Christmas cheer. The origin of mistletoe as a Yuletide symbol came from the Norse and the Druids. Both had traditions that ...