CAES Newswire

 College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences UGA Cooperative Extension
Menu
Published on 12/16/22

Don’t get caught under too much mistletoe

By Alicia Holloway
A close-up of mistletoe hanging up on a door frame in a house. The Christmas tree is lit up in the background, out of focus.
Mistletoe's history as a symbol of fertility and love goes back thousands of years, well beyond today’s interpretation as holiday decor. But when you get down to it, mistletoe is a parasite.

While a sprig of mistletoe hung from the ceiling for sweethearts to kiss under is a sweet tradition, too much mistletoe hanging from your trees can lead to trouble later.

Many of the plants we traditionally associate with Christmas are evergreen and are used because they are leafy when everything else is bare for the winter. Its history as a symbol of fertility and love goes back thousands of years, well beyond today’s interpretation as holiday decor, but when you get down to it, mistletoe is a parasite. As a symbol of love, choosing a parasite may seem a bit of a cynical choice.

Our native mistletoe, often called American or Oak mistletoe, can kill the trees they are growing on.

They use their own green leaves for photosynthesis, but they also draw water and other nutrients from the tree. If too many bunches of mistletoe invade, they will slowly suck the life out of the tree.

In summer these green clumps blend in with leaves and are not very noticeable. But among bare branches in the fall and winter, the bunches are easy to spot.

Check the trees around your house. If you see multiple green clusters near the top, keep a close watch on those trees, as they may begin to lose branches and might eventually need to be removed from the landscape.

You can treat mistletoe by pruning it out 2 feet below where it is attached to the tree or by pruning it off and wrapping the cut with black plastic for a couple of years to prevent it from growing back. Unfortunately, getting to the mistletoe may prove difficult. Mistletoe usually grows too high in trees for either of those methods to be practical. You may need someone with specialized skills and equipment, and I’ve never seen an arborist offer that service. For most of us, the best plan is to be aware and keep a watchful eye.

As you take down your mistletoe this year, take a moment to monitor for it in your yard. When scouting your trees, make sure you set aside any pleasant associations with the holidays, and recognize the plant for the water-stealing parasite that it is to your trees.

Alicia Holloway is the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in Barrow County.

Authors:
Alicia Holloway
Experts/Sources:
Alicia Holloway
The caterpillar relies on its appearance to deter attackers and, when disturbed, it aggressively twists and writhes on the ground to defend itself. In its final, less terrifying form, the regal moth displays autumnal-colored wings in shades of deep orange with gray stripes and yellow spots. (Art by Jay B. Bauer) CAES News
Unveiling the fearsome hickory horned devil 10/25/23 Emily Cabrera
With a name that conjures the spookiest Halloween imagery, the hickory horned devil (Citheronia regalis) caterpillar is a marvel of nature's creativity, boasting a fearsome-looking appearance that is both off-putting and intriguing. This time of year, unsuspecting passersby may have the rare chance to spot this spectacular caterpillar as it drops from trees.
Considered a native of the Eastern U.S., the smooth hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens) is a showy shrub that sports large, velvety leaves and chartreuse-to-white blooms. (Photo by Sheri Dorn) CAES News
What to plant for a smokin’ hot garden in the heat of summer 07/26/23 Sheri Dorn
Has the heat got you inside looking out? Are you enjoying gardens and landscapes only from the comfort of your air-conditioned car? Indeed we are in the throes of summer in Georgia, but even though it’s brutal for us outside, there are many landscape plants that are in their glory this time of year.
loquat CAES News
Lush landscape plants under 20 feet for small spaces 08/31/22 Jordan Powers
Whether looking to create a natural screen between homes or hide an unsightly corner of a property, experts with University of Georgia Cooperative Extension say that well-chosen small trees and shrubs can help homeowners create a natural fence in the landscape.
A spring-planted dwarf Hinoki falsecypress shows transplant shock four months after planting. CAES News
Avoid transplant shock by planting trees and shrubs in the cooler months 12/16/21 Paul Pugliese
Georgia gardeners will find the most success transplanting trees in the cooler seasons. But anywhere a tree or shrub dies within the first year of planting, there is usually a root issue involved. Spring-planted trees and shrubs are generally more stressed from summer heat because their roots are still underdeveloped during the first year. This results in excessive wilting, which causes well-intentioned gardeners to literally water their plants to death. 
John Ruter, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org CAES News
Are your trees boys or girls — or both? 10/18/21 Kim D. Coder
Female flowers and female trees produce fruit and seeds. Male flowers and trees produce pollen. Making the correct choice of tree gender can be important. Anyone who has ever smelled putrid ginkgo fruit, washed mulberries off their car or sneezed at tree pollen should understand.
The fruit husks contain the highest concentration of juglone on the tree. (Photo by Franklin Bonner, USFS, ret., Bugwood.org) CAES News
Your black walnut tree is out to get you 10/12/21
When you look into your garden or backyard, be careful not to ignore your black walnut (Juglans nigra) tree. Lurking inside its leaves, fruits and roots is a pesticide made to control competition.