The Druids and the Norseman considered the mistletoe, with its dark green oval
foliage and white berries, to be a sacred plant. They believed it had miraculous
properties which could cure illnesses, serve as an antidote against poisons, ensure
fertility and protect against the ill effects of witchcraft and evil.
Mistletoe has been used for centuries, once called Allheal, it was used in folk
medicine to cure many ills just as the old name implies. North American Indians are
said to have used it to treat dog bites, measles and toothaches. The plant is still
used today, but only in skilled hands ... because it's a powerful plant.
In Scandinavian lore, if enemies met by chance beneath mistletoe in the forest, they
would lay down their arms and maintained a truce until the next day. From this has
seemingly come the ancient custom of hanging a ball of mistletoe from the ceiling and
exchanging kisses under it as a sign of friendship and goodwill.
It is still today, a desirable decoration for the holiday season. Most people think of
its attractive white berries and evergreen foliage in a decorating context, and are
surprised to hear that it is harmful to trees. The plant also has poisonous properties
and should be kept out of the reach of small children who may be tempted to eat the
berries.
Mistletoe is a parasite which lives in the tops of trees. It is not like most plants
which obtain their support, water and nutrients from the soil in which they grow.
Mistletoe sends out roots which penetrate the bark and enter the water and nutrient
conducting tissue of a tree.
Once established the young plant grows very quickly and lives about ten years. The
host tree is eventually weakened and will decline in health as it is robbed of its
nutrition by the clinging mistletoe.
It is very difficult to control because a portion of it grows into the tree's tissue.
Breaking away the mistletoe is ineffective as it will redevelop at the point of
removal and produce another clump.
The most successful method of control is to remove a chip of wood at the point of
attachment from the host limb. If mistletoe is on a small limb, the entire limb should
be pruned about one foot below the point where the mistletoe attaches.
