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TT: Re: American Mistletoe
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Mistletoe is very abundant here in the Bluegrass, especially in black walnut
(Juglans nigra). It forms green tufts in the crown, visible when the tree's
leaves are gone. It is pretty obvious why the ancients worshipped it: it is
often the only green thing for miles around, a good symbol of everlasting
life and the promise of spring.
Strictly speaking, mistletoe is not a parasite, but a xylem hemi-parasite.
It obtains water and mineral nutrients from the host tree, but is
responsible for its own photosynthesis. It causes little or no damage to the
host. In contrast, the dwarf-mistletoes are true parasites that cause
severe damage. They are true parasites, and are not only not green, but
only appear outside the host when they flower and fruit. Dwarf-mistletoe is
a parasite of conifers in the west, and black spruce in the east.
I'll try to write a bit more about Christmas trees this weekend, as soon as
I get all these damned finals graded. Anybody want to help?
Cheers,
Tom Kimmerer
Forest Biologist
University of Kentucky
Lexington KY 40546
Ph: 606-257-1824
Fax: 606-323-1031
tkimmer@pop.uky.edu
Visit the TreeWeb at http://quercus.uky.edu
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