If you've invested much time in the Southwest, you've likely noticed these strange, bushy clumps of mistletoe in mesquite trees that stay brilliant green even whenever the rest of the desert appears a bit heavy. It's a little bit of an odd sight, right? You've got this durable, thorny tree that's built to endure the harshest droughts, after which hanging through its branches are these lush, twisted balls of greenery. While we usually think of mistletoe as a joyful decoration for the holidays, out in the wild, it's actually a continual little parasite that will can cause several real headaches for your landscape.
It's Not Just a Holiday Decoration
The stuff we're talking about isn't the same green variety you buy at the grocery store in December. In our neck from the woods, it's usually Wilderness Mistletoe ( Phoradendron californicum ). This stuff is usually a "hemi-parasite. " That's just an elegant way of stating it's a little bit of a moocher. It can create some of its own energy through photosynthesis—which is why it stays green—but it relies on the mesquite tree regarding all its water and mineral requirements.
Think about mistletoe like a bunkmate who pays regarding their very own snacks but uses your Wi fi, drinks your milk, and not helps with the electric bill. A little little bit of it won't kill a healthy mesquite, but if the particular "roommates" start having over every part, the tree is going to feel the strain.
How It Gets There in the First Place
You might question how a plant ends up growing midway up a forest without any grime. The answer consists of a very specific bird called the Phainopepla . These types of silky, black birds absolutely love mistletoe berries. They consume them by the dozen, but the seed products inside those fruits are incredibly sticky, covered in the substance called viscin.
When the parrot moves to a different branch to digest, the seeds either pass through all of them or get wiped off their beak onto the start barking. Because they're so sticky, they stuff themselves to the particular mesquite branch. Before you know this, the seed germinates and discharges "roots" called haustoria. Instead of going into the ground, these origins drill right directly into the tree's tissue to make use of its water supply. It's a pretty outstanding survival strategy, even when it is a bit rude in order to the tree.
Why Mistletoe Likes Mesquites
Mesquite trees are the particular perfect hosts because they are currently masters of obtaining water in dry climates. They possess incredibly deep taproots, sometimes reaching over a hundred ft down. By latching onto a mesquite, the mistletoe will get a guaranteed straw into the earth's deep-water reserves.
In a healthful ecosystem, this relationship is actually fairly cool. The mistletoe provides food regarding birds and nectar for bees during times of the year when not much else is blooming. However, in a backyard setting where you would like your trees to appear their best, a heavy infestation of mistletoe in mesquite trees may make the cover look ragged and thin.
Is It Actually Hurting the Tree?
This is actually the big question the majority of homeowners have. The short answer is usually: it depends. In the event that your mesquite is large, established, plus only has a couple of small clumps, it's probably fine. The tree will simply keep growing close to it.
Nevertheless, in case you start seeing dozens of these types of clumps, you've obtained a problem. Due to the fact the mistletoe is stealing water, the particular parts of the particular branch beyond the mistletoe often start to perish back. You'll discover the tips associated with the branches searching brittle or dropping leaves. Over time, a heavy load of mistletoe can damage the tree's immune system system, making it even more susceptible to wood-boring beetles or illnesses. During an especially bad drought yr, the extra "tax" the mistletoe puts on the tree may even be the particular thing that lastly tips it off the ledge.
Signs of a Heavy Infestation
- Witches' Brooms: This particular is when the particular tree grows the tangled, messy bunch of twigs across the site of the particular mistletoe.
- Swollen Branches: The branch might look unusually thick or "cankered" where the mistletoe offers attached itself.
- Thinning Canopy: If the top of your mesquite appears sparse while the particular mistletoe looks lush, the parasite is winning the resource war.
Just how to Get Reduce It
If you've decided how the mistletoe has in order to go, I possess some good news and some poor news. The poor news is that will you can't simply reach up and pull it off. Remember those "roots" (haustoria) I pointed out earlier? They are in the wood. In case you just click off the green part, it's like mowing a dandelion—the root is nevertheless there, and it will develop back, often faster than before.
Pruning can be your Greatest Bet
The most effective way to deal along with mistletoe in mesquite trees is to prune the particular affected branches. A person can't just cut right at the particular clump, though. A person need to reduce the branch a minimum of twelve inches below where the mistletoe is attached. This ensures you're removing the internal root system that's hidden within the start barking.
If the mistletoe is growing on a main trunk or even a major structural limb that you can't afford to shed, pruning isn't actually an option. In that case, you can test "starving" the parasite.
The Gift wrapping Method
Since mistletoe needs light to survive, you can cut the green clump away from flush with all the bark and then wrap that section of the branch in several layers associated with heavy-duty black plastic or duct tape. Secure it firmly so no lighting gets in. You'll need to leave it there for with least a year—maybe two. Without light, the internal roots will eventually die off. It's not really the prettiest answer, but it's much better than losing an entire limb.
Controlling It Long-Term
Let's be actual: if you have mesquites plus you have chickens, you're probably going to see mistletoe once again. It's just component of living in the desert. The goal shouldn't always be total eradication, but rather management .
Inspect trees once or twice per year, specifically in the winter whenever the mesquite results in are gone and the mistletoe is easy to place. In case you see a tiny new sprig starting, you can frequently scrape it away from before it truly gets its "claws" into the wood. Remaining on top of it prevents these massive, heavy clumps that are so much harder to deal with later.
Should You Contact a professional?
When your mesquite is definitely thirty feet high and the mistletoe is way upward in the best, don't try to be a main character with a rickety ladder. Mesquite wood is incredibly hard, but it can also be brittle, and people thorns are no joke. Arborists deal with mistletoe in mesquite trees just about all the time. They have the right saws as well as the safety equipment to get the job done without harming themselves or the tree.
In addition, a pro can assist you figure out when the tree will be stressed for various other reasons. Sometimes an abrupt explosion of mistletoe is an indication of a woods that's already struggling with poor garden soil or improper sprinkling.
Wrapping It Up
At the end of the particular day, mistletoe isn't the "kiss of death" for your mesquite, but it's certainly something you need to maintain an eye on. It's a fascinating part of our local ecosystem, providing a vital food source for wildlife, yet it's a little bit of a bully in order to gets out of control.
By maintaining your trees pruned and healthy, you can enjoy the shade of your mesquite intended for decades—even if you have to offer with a couple of unwanted "roommates" on the way. Simply remember: if you see those green balls starting in order to take over, it's time to get the shears (or the phone) and take back your tree.