Viscum album

So it is true about Missletoe not being good for the tree

Just look at that big black Fungus it's caused


Jack McH

 

and who is this now...PLOTBUSTERS?

 

Could be "Him" Mira:OUCH:

 

This apparently works in a lot of different species tree, Zig.

I read elsewhere a year or more ago that whereas we thought it had to be apple, it actually doesn't, others are suitable hosts too.
I know the trees i mentioned in the original post aren't apple, goodness knows what they are but def not them !!!

 

There were some huge trees at Curry Rival that were covered in it, they were cut down a couple of years ago, didn't really pay attention to what they were, but i'd guess Sycamore.

 

You're right Louise, it doesn't have to be apple.
Our neighbourhood and the surrounding area seems to be something of a Mistletoe 'hot spot'.
I don't know why this should be, possibly there were a large number of orchards in the area in days gone by and these are 'refugees' from those.
All within about a two mile radius from where I live, I've seen Mistletoe growing in the following trees;
Lime
Rowan
Malus (Crab)
Hawthorn
Apple
We also have it growing in a couple of large Willows at work .

 

Sounds like you've got a Mistle Thrush there Trunky.

Those large trees were more likely Limes, now you mention it.

 

I did something similar Zig, except I simply rubbed the seeds into various cracks and fissures in the bark, didn't bother with slitting.
It does take time, it must have been about 3 or 4 years before I noticed the first shoots had appeared.
This was about 10 years ago, the Mistletoe is now firmly established in our old apple tree, which I'd estimate to be at least 30 years old now.
I counted about 8 or 9 separate clumps growing in that tree this morning:



The original clump has now grown quite large and dense:



Looks like a good year for berries:

 

Thats great Trunky, love the big clump. All you need now are some Santa hats & you're ready to hit the streets.

 

Hi Trunky

So jealous that looks amazing puts Ziggy "spot the Ball" to shame.

I think a good year for beries to be left on !!! and not eaten beacuse its so mild remember with this weather, this time last year, I didnt have a berry left on anything in the garden come the first week in December.

I havnt had a fieldfare or the mass invasion of blackbirds from Europe yet !!!


Spruce

 

The Fieldfares arrived last week here, so won't be long till they get to you Spruce. One of them was carrying an Afro Comb.

 

Oddly enough, despite having lots of berries on the Mistletoe (and a plentiful supply of slugs and snails), we rarely see or hear any Thrushes around the garden.
We do have plenty of Blackbirds, particularly during the winter, and usually see one or two Fieldfares and Redwings in winter too.
Does anybody know, apart from Thrushes, what other birds are known to eat mistletoe berries?

 

Blackcaps.

 

Well, a few days on now and ..... every single one of those huge clumps has disappeared
Surely it would be far better to leave it insitu until nearer xmas because by the time xmas actually arrives the sprigs will be withering :gaagh: