cross-posted from: https://aussie.zone/post/2027785
Unlike other plants that can be grown as seedlings and planted out, mistletoes rely on animals to plant their seeds on the branches of host trees.
We set out on a world-first trial to attempt to reintroduce mistletoe to the trees of Melbourne.
All of Australia’s mistletoes are native species.
Working closely with City of Melbourne staff, research scientists from the Gulbali Institute undertook a world-first trial of the reintroduction of a native mistletoe to street trees.
Five years after inoculation, we found mistletoes had established on five trees.
Pretty interesting project. I’d be curious how they might affect the health of already stressed urban trees. Some of our local mistletoes can severely infest some trees, leading to poor health and limb dieback. I understand they have benefit to our birds but generally the benefit of the trees is much greater.
On the other hand, I’ve seen some extremely aggressive pruning meant to eradicate mistletoe that leads to decay and ultimately the death of the tree. Maybe it was doomed from the mistletoe already but one has to wonder if the cure is worse than the disease.