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Where can mistletoe be found?

Where can mistletoe be found?

Mistletoe species have evolved to plant themselves on hosts ranging from pine trees to cacti, but the species most commonly associated with European-based mistletoe mythologies (like kissing beneath it on Christmas) are typically found on large deciduous trees, like oaks.

Where does mistletoe grow best?

Mistletoe grows in the branches of trees such as hawthorn, poplar and lime, although in the UK the most common hosts are cultivated apple trees. Despite growing on trees, mistletoe is not generally found in a woodland setting, preferring hosts in open situations with plenty of light.

Will mistletoe grow on any tree?

Mistletoe won’t grow on all tree species. The main hosts are apple, hawthorn, lime and poplar, although maples, willows, plums and rowans may also be suitable. In fact, most trees and shrubs of the rose family (Rosaceae) may be suitable.

Can mistletoe grow anywhere?

Mistletoe plants can be found almost anywhere in the world. There are two major varieties. A North American variety and a European type. It is a parasite, living on a variety of trees and shrubs.

Is there mistletoe in Texas?

The North American mistletoe native to Texas is Phoradendron leucarpum. And that’s how mistletoe gets into homeowners’ shade trees. Sticky mistletoe seeds fall onto trees, dropped by birds. The seeds germinate, penetrating through the tree’s bark.

Why do people kiss under mistletoe?

The origins of kissing under the mistletoe, a plant that often bears white berries, are often traced to a tale in Norse mythology about the god Baldur. In many tellings, Frigg declares the mistletoe to be a symbol of love after her son’s death and promises to kiss anyone who passed underneath it.

Should you remove mistletoe from trees?

The leaves of the mistletoe must be completely wet and the process needs to be done before the host tree has leafed out. Only some of the mistletoe will fall off, but the plant will slowly grow more. Trees are able to withstand most mistletoe infestations, so removal is not absolutely necessary.

Why do we kiss under the mistletoe?

What states do mistletoe grow in?

American mistletoe is found from New Jersey to Florida and west through Texas. The dwarf mistletoe, much smaller than its kissing cousin, is found from central Canada and southeastern Alaska to Honduras and Hispaniola, but most species are found in western United States and Mexico.

Is mistletoe a tree disease?

Because mistletoe is a parasite and damaging to trees, trees of value should be treated. Pruning is the primary method of mistletoe control. When the presence of mistletoe is limited, pruning can be a safe and effective means at ridding the tree of this parasite.

Do live oaks get mistletoe?

Oak mistletoe grows almost exclusively on oak trees. It especially likes the large spreading valley oaks growing in deep moist soils and the familiar blue oaks that can grow in the poorest soils. It will also infect an interior live oak, black oak or canyon live oak.

Why do we hang mistletoe at Christmas?

The plant’s romantic overtones most likely started with the Celtic Druids of the 1st century A.D. Because mistletoe could blossom even during the frozen winter, the Druids came to view it as a sacred symbol of vivacity, and they administered it to humans and animals alike in the hope of restoring fertility.