Many homeowners are not aware of the scourge of Mistletoe - that it is a parasite capable of killing a mature tree in about five years.

Mistletoe is most apparent when the trees have shed their natural leaves. The green leafy clusters that remain are Mistletoe which can double in size and number each year, and, being a parasite, drain the tree of its life-supporting nutrients until both tree and Mistletoe are dead.

The parasite is spread by the birds that feed on the white, sticky berries produced between October and December. The berries stick to the birds' beaks which they rub off on the tree bark, starting a new cluster. The birds also pass the seeds in their droppings, thus infecting whole neighborhoods from just one tree.

There is no really effective spray yet available to eradicate Mistletoe. The only treatment is removal of the infected limb 12-18 inches back toward the trunk of the tree from the point of Mistletoe attachment, as the parasite sends out hair-like roots under the bark. Even after pruning, the tree should be checked for at least two (2) years as the tiniest manifestations are not always visible at first pruning.

Homeowners should be aware that the problem will not solve itself and it costs much more to remove a dead tree than to threat Mistletoe early.

Don't let this happen to your trees!