Mistletoe grows mysteriously in the crowns of various tree species. The semi-parasitic species, which look like giant bird nests, can reach a diameter of up to one meter and are spread by various birds. Mistletoe can also easily be propagated yourself.
Mistletoe can be cultivated in a targeted manner - but it damages the trees
How does reproduction work in nature?
Some birds eat the mostly white berries of the mistletoe and excrete the indigestible seeds after a short time. The mistle thrush is particularly noteworthy here. Other birds, like the blackcap, only eat the pulp and strip the sticky seeds from their beaks. In this way, they remain seated directly on the tree.
Once the seeds are attached to the tree, the embryos they contain can germinate. Suction cords form first, followed by primary and sinker roots, which grow through the bark into the tree up to the tree's pathways. Only then does the mistletoe begin to grow outwards. However, it will be several years before it reaches a respectable size and shows the first flowers.
Which trees are best for propagation?
The three subspecies of mistletoe each have special host trees, as can be seen from the names of the species: fir mistletoe, pine mistletoe and deciduous mistletoe. Deciduous mistletoe likes to grow on apple trees, lime trees, hornbeams, poplars, alders and birches.
Mistletoe can live up to 70 years and reach a diameter of about one meter. After about 30 years, the twigs, which are considered poisonous, have a length of about 50 centimeters. The next time you cut a sprig of mistletoe, keep this in mind.
The essentials in brief:
- Breeding relatively easy
- grows only slowly, about one bud per year
- lives up to 70 years
- first flowering only after several years (6 to 7)
- not all trees are suitable for propagation
- “good” host trees: apple tree, hornbeam, alder, poplar, linden
- slows growth and reduces harvest of host trees
tips
As a rule, the host trees do not die from the mistletoe. However, if the infestation is very severe, the damage can be so great that the host dies.