So the holiday season is upon us and as you might have noticed amongst all the holiday decorations, one emblem of the season is mistletoe. Mistletoe becomes a concern to property owners more during the winter months since the tree has naturally shed its leaves and the mistletoe is more visible. Mistletoe is capable of manufacturing its own food, making it a parasite, but it seldom kills a tree outright. Heavily infested limbs are stressed, which in time can increase the tree’s susceptibility to other problems.

A few control options to consider include: simply pruning the limbs of trees if you have a small infestation. Cut the limbs at least 12 inches below the mistletoe to insure the root system of the mistletoe is fully disposed of. Do not try to scoop out a portion of the tree removing the plant as this could weaken the tree’s structure or lead to disease issues. Another option is to cover the mistletoe with a black plastic bag for 1-2 years. This is not the most aesthetical option but has seen results. This option might not be feasible in large trees with infestations in upper portions.

The option most people are hoping for is a chemical solution, but the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension field trials showed this to be an ineffective method of control. Mistletoe is tough to control or kill. One way to control the spread is to remove the berries from the mistletoe. Berries only produce on mature plants and it normally takes 2-3 years for a plant to reach maturity. By removing the mistletoe plant before it reaches maturity, seeds are not produced, thus reducing the spread of the plant. However, although it is not a plant that must be removed for most trees to survive; removal is suggested if it can be done safely and economically.