Orchard Network

Mistletoe (Viscum album) is a fascinating plant. It is 'semi-parasitic', taking water and nutrients from the tree but producing its own food through photosynthesis. It can be found growing on poplars, limes, willows and hawthorn but its preferred host by a long margin is cultivated apple in orchards and gardens. Not surprisingly then, although it can be found scattered across Southern Britain, it has concentrations in the South West Midlands and parts of Somerset.

Reproduction & Dispersal

Mistletoe has male and female plants - the female plants produce the white berries that are so distinctive. Both plants produce small, green flowers, which are found at the tips of the branches from January to March. They are pollinated by small insects. Mistletoe is spread by the birds that feed on the berries - many birds do not recognise white berries as food, but mistletoe 'specialists' include the mistle thrush and the blackcap. The former spread the mistletoe seeds in their droppings, while the latter eat the berries and then smear their beaks on tree branches, depositing the seed.

Biodiversity

Mistletoe supports a suite of scarce invertebrates; one moth (the mistletoe marble), one weevil and four bugs. The mistletoe weevil (Ixapion variegatum) was only discovered in 2000 in Herefordshire, while the capsid bug (Hyposeloecus visci) is an even more recent discovery, found in Somerset in 2003.

Management

There is no denying that left unchecked, mistletoe will swamp its host tree, reducing yield and increasing chances of wind-blow. Careful, sustainable management of mistletoe is therefore essential to maintain both the tree and the mistletoe itself in good condition. It is important to harvest mistletoe in a sustainable way, leaving enough of the female, berry bearing plants to ensure a continued annual presence.

Find out how to help secure the future of mistletoe here.

National Links

www.mistletoe.org.uk - The Mistletoe Matters Consultancy provides information and advice on all matters mistletoe

www.mistletoe.org.uk - An introduction to mistletoe worldwide

Follow the Mistletoe Blog

Image: NTPL/Ross Hoddinott