Although some species, like juniper mistletoe (Phoradendron juniperinum) and piñon dwarf mistletoe (Arceuthobium divaricatum), have always been around.

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.

Dwarf mistletoe is a problem in Colorado forests. It is rarely transmitted through nursery stock, but can be difficult to manage in naturally forested areas of the Pikes Peak region.

New England’s cold winters keep dwarf mistletoe from taking hold here, she said, but that could change. “I think about climate change and wonder when is the tipping point. It could be a ...

But, botanically speaking, that’s what mistletoe is. There are some 1,300 species of this evergreen plant worldwide. ...

Mistletoe can also be sticky, so it’s a good idea to bring gloves. And always keep mistletoe away from pets and children — it’s poisonous if eaten. Loading ...

Dwarf mistletoe spreads by sticky pressurized seeds that, when burst, can spread upwards of 50 feet. The seeds then adhere to the surfaces of nearby trees (Texas A&M Forest Service).

By Kirsten Weir No kissing here White spruce with “witches’ brooms,” a tell-tale sign of mistletoe infection. Courtesy of Jaret Reblin For the white spruce tree (Picea glauca), mistletoe is the kiss ...

Dwarf mistletoe can be found in western states and has been recorded in the bogs of northeastern Pennsylvania. On the East Coast, American mistletoe is most commonly spotted south of the Mason ...

The dwarf mistletoe spreads via explosion, with water pressure building up inside the berry until it pops and propels seeds up to 15 meters (50 feet).

A naturally uncommon mistletoe species that only grows in a handful of spots across the Kāpiti Coast has been given a kiss of life thanks to a decade of work by a local biodiversity champion ...

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.