Introduction
Mistletoe Viscum album is a plant known
to everyone, largely because of the unique role it plays at Christmas
time. However, its importance culturally goes right back to pagan times,
when it was believed to enhance fertility and have health giving properties.
It grows on many species of free standing deciduous trees, in hedgerows
and orchards, where it appears as a large ball of foliage. Because it
retains its leaves in winter, it stands out very clearly following autumn
leaf fall.
Distribution
Although still quite common place in eastern Monmouthshire,
mistletoe has an unusual distribution being mainly concentrated on the
English west midlands. However, over recent times mistletoe has begun
to decline in its Monmouthshire stronghold and it is becoming particularly
rare in Torfaen and Newport. |
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Reasons for decline
This decline is due to many factors including:
removal of hedgerows and orchards, felling of trees for built development
and road schemes, felling of trees considered unsafe, ‘rustling’
(theft) and pruning.
Value for wildlife
Apart from its cultural importance, mistletoe is
of great benefit to wildlife, its milky white berries being an important
winter food source for flocks of winter thrushes and other birds. In
fact, it is through the birds that seeds are spread to other trees and
hedgerows, either through their droppings or from wiping their beaks
on the tree bark to clean off the sticky seeds.
Legal protection
Mistletoe receives the same protection as all other
wild plants through the Wildlife and Countryside Act. This means, it
may not be uprooted (which includes uprooting or felling of the host
plant) without the land owners consent. Also, any tree protected by
a Tree Protection Order (TPO) cannot be felled without the consent of
the local authority. The presence of mistletoe in such a tree will strengthen
the value of the Order.
How to help
If you are lucky enough to have mistletoe
on your land – look after it and do not prune it back, except
for a little at Christmas.
Plant an orchard or a few fruit trees.
Do not remove hedgerows or mature trees.
If you have an unsafe tree, seek the advice of a tree surgeon and only
remove the dangerous limbs.
Encourage birds to your garden, as they will help spread the seeds.
If your neighbours have mistletoe, let them
know of its importance and suggest they request an advice sheet.
If you know of any planning applications where mistletoe is known to
be on site let your LA ecologist or the Trust know so that it can be
adequately protected.
If you know where mistletoe is located, inform your local authority
ecologist or the Gwent Wildlife Trust.
Propagation
The success rate is quite low, some swearing that
the process is only possible after the seed has passed through a bird's
digestive system, but this is not true. The seeds can be smeared onto
bark, in the same way that birds do. Many are lost through drought,
eaten by insects or attacked by fungi. February is the time to get your
thumbs sticky. Pick some berries and squeeze the seed out of the skin
on to the underside of a branch. Work at a comfortable height that is
easy to reach. Choose solitary trees, or south facing trees on the edge
of clusters in open areas as these fare better. Reasonable success will
be achieved with the following species: willows, lime, hawthorn and
cultivated apple trees.
A Thought
While it does not damage a tree, mistletoe is a
parasite, draining the tree of energy and distorting its growth. If
you are seeking a tree onto which you might spread mistletoe berries,
you may wish to ask the tree for permission.
How much longer can we kiss under the
mistletoe?
For further information about propagation visit
http://www.mistletoe.org.uk
Produced by Gwent Wildlife Trust in conjunction with:
Torfaen, Monmouthshire, Newport, Blaenau Gwent and Caerphilly councils
December 2005
Mistletoe Fact Sheet produced by Gwent Wildlife Trust in conjunction
with Torfaen, Monmouthshire, Newport, Blaenau Gwent and Caerphilly councils
December 2005
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