Mistletoe Control by Dr. Garden from Monterey Lawn and Garden

Gardening Tips

Dr. Garden, from Monterey Lawn and Garden Products

Mistletoe Control
by Dr. Garden

Why would anyone want to control mistletoe? That's what you get kissed under at Christmas isn't it? Yes this is true but there is a downside to mistletoe. It's a parasitic plant that lives off the host tree sucking all its nutrients and water from that tree. This can result in an unsightly tree, broken limbs and even death to the tree.

There are generally two types of mistletoe, leafy mistletoe that gets in evergreen and deciduous trees and dwarf mistletoe that gets into conifers.

Leafy mistletoe, the type you see at Christmas, blooms in the spring and produces a seed which ripens in the summer. It is then eaten by birds, passes thought their digestive system and is deposited on a branch of another tree where it germinates and infects that tree.

Dwarf mistletoe that appears in conifers also blooms in the spring. When the seed is mature in the summer it will shoot out from the mistletoe plant for a distance of 20-30 feet and attach itself to another tree since it is sticky in nature. The key to controlling both types is to get to it before it infects surrounding trees.

Leafy mistletoe is the type most people wish to control because it's the most visible and does the most damage on homeowner property.

Dr. Garden recommends Florel^® brand Growth Regulator to control both types of mistletoe. In fact, Florel^® brand Growth Regulator is the only product registered in the U.S. for this purpose. The best time to control the mistletoe is in the spring on deciduous trees when the weather is warm. The mistletoe is growing and the trees have not quite begun to leaf out yet. Day time temperatures should be at least 65 degrees F. at the time of application and rain should not be expected for at least 24 hours.

To control leafy mistletoe mix 2 quarts Florel^® brand Growth Regulator in 4 gallons of water with a surfactant and thoroughly spray the mistletoe bunches. Do not spray the whole tree, just the mistletoe bunches. On large bunches where spray penetration is difficult, a second application may be necessary. About 5-7 days after application you will see the leaves and the branches of the mistletoe fall to the ground. This will continue for about three weeks. Since the roots of the mistletoe will not be effected, you may need to repeat this procedure every 3-4 years.

Dwarf mistletoe in conifers is harder to control since they are usually in mountainous areas and hard to get at. The idea is to control the mistletoe to prevent it from infecting nearby trees. Application should be made in the early summer before seed dispersal. Apply 1 quart of Florel^® brand Growth Regulator in 4 gallons of water and spray the areas where mistletoe is a problem. Again, try to pick a period when rainfall is not expected for 24 hours and expect about three weeks for control.

All of this is pretty complicated for the homeowner since most do not have the equipment to get up in high trees to spray. You might consider looking in your yellow pages under "Tree Care" to find a professional who sprays trees since they have the proper equipment and training.

These insect control tips have been brought to you by Dr. Garden,
from Monterey Lawn & Garden Products

“Products that work!”

Lawn and Garden Products, Inc.
P.O. Box 35000
Fresno, California 93745-5000
Phone: 559-499-2100
Fax: 559-499-1015
Email: info@montereylawngarden.com

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Gardening Tips

Mistletoe Controlby Dr. Garden

Mistletoe Control
by Dr. Garden