Does Mistletoe Harm Trees?

Mistletoe thrives wildly in numerous parts of North America and mistletoe harm trees. It is a parasitic plant that steals the host tree’s carbohydrates. This activity can diminish the health of the specific limb to which the mistletoe is attached and reduces fruit growth. So does mistletoe harm trees? Yes it does.

Orchard owners and tree care experts know how to eliminate mistletoe to improve crop production. Eliminating mistletoe plants is vital in areas where the plant is a pest and takes over production orchards.

Mistletoe in Trees

Mistletoe

Mistletoe in trees robs water and nutrients from the host tree. The small shrub-like plant launches out root type organs into the cambium of the tree and steals the tree’s moisture and carbohydrate sources. Generally, this doesn’t hurt the tree a lot unless there are a large number of mistletoe plants on it.

Though, it can lessen the growth of the tree because some of its resources are affected. Orchard situations are particularly sensitive to the existence of the parasite. It is simple to kill mistletoe growth, but the roots can be stubborn, and the plant could spring back. Just chopping the leaves and twigs won’t kill mistletoe. You must destroy the roots and the whole plant.

Chemical-Free Mistletoe Control

A non-chemical way to eliminate mistletoe is to trim it out. To not harm the tree, you might want to hire a certified arborist. They understand how to get rid of huge pieces of wood without harmfully affecting the tree’s health. If you do the pruning, cut infested material back to the branch collar.

To kill mistletoe growth once and for all, trim back the stems and leaves to the wood and then cover the area with wide black polyethylene to prevent light and stop it from re-sprouting. Regularly pruning out the growth won’t kill the plant but will stop it from fruiting and flowering, producing seeds that will spread the mistletoe.

Eliminating Mistletoe with Chemicals

Eliminating mistletoe with chemicals must be performed by a tree service professional and only in cases where other ways aren’t feasible. The leaves of the mistletoe have to be entirely wet, and the procedure must be performed before the host tree has lost all its leaves. The temperature has to be around 65 F. (18 C.).