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Mistletoe species grow on a wide range of host trees, some of which experience side effects including reduced growth, stunting, and loss of infested outer branches. A heavy infestation may also kill the host plant. Viscum album successfully parasitizes more than 200 tree and shrub species. [citation needed]
If you find mistletoe in a tree on your property, it is best to remove the plant to avoid stress to your tree. Related: When and How to Prune Trees Safely, Including Challenging Branches 4.
Phoradendron tomentosum, the leafy mistletoe, hairy mistletoe or Christmas mistletoe, is a plant parasite. It is characterized by its larger leaves and smaller berries than dwarf mistletoe . Leafy mistletoe seldom kill but they do rob their hosts of moisture and some minerals, causing stress during drought and reducing crop productions on fruit ...
Severe colonization of mistletoe can affect the health of an individual tree, and a tree already stressed by other factors can be killed. Forest fragmentation can increase Phoradendron infection rates in some oak trees, as trees in lower density forests and those closer to the forests' edges are more likely to be colonized by the mistletoe. [ 15 ]
Mistletoe produces specialized roots known as haustoria. These roots can break through the host tree bark and embed itself in the vascular tissue. From the Extension: Mistletoe is a misleading plant
In western forest ecosystems of North America, numerous dwarf mistletoe species are considered to be serious forest-borne disease agents.Severe dwarf mistletoe infection can result in a reduction in tree growth, premature tree mortality, reduced seed and cone development, and reduced wood quality, and increases the susceptibility of the host tree to pathogen and/or insect attack.
In fact, according to Dr. Tina Wismer, senior director of toxicology at the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, the type of tree mistletoe grows upon affects the plant’s toxicity.
Phoradendron californicum, the desert mistletoe or mesquite mistletoe, is a hemiparasitic plant native to southern California, Nevada, Arizona, Sonora, Sinaloa and Baja California. It can be found in the Mojave and Sonoran Deserts at elevations of up to 1400 m (4600 feet).