December 12, 2017
This is Jason Lamb with your Gardening Minute.
So you found some real mistletoe for the holidays. Did
you know that true mistletoe is poisonous and is a parasite? Mistletoe is easy to see this time of year because it is
the only thing green on deciduous trees. Its berries are poisonous and should
not be eaten.
Several types of mistletoe are found here in New Mexico
with the most common one being leafy mistletoe. Mistletoe sinks its roots
called haustria, under the bark of the tree and is impossible to get rid of. It
is able to photosynthesize to make its own food, but it depends on the host
tree for water and nutrients.
You can pick mistletoe off the tree to reduce the
infestation by reducing the seed source which will prevent the spread of
mistletoe. However the roots will remain
active and produce more mistletoe next year.
Pruning the mistletoe out of the tree is the only real
cure. To prune the mistletoe, cut at least one foot below the mistletoe or
where the bark swells. The branch will need to be disposed of properly. If the mistletoe grows from the
trunk of the tree, the whole tree may need to be removed.
If you
would like more information about mistletoe please contact the Extension office
at
461-0562. This has been your Gardening Minute with Jason Lamb your Quay County
Ag. Extension Agent. Where our programs are open to everyone and Happy
holidays from all of us at the Quay County Extension office.
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