Row of trees with birdlime or mistletoe

It was generally assumed that mistletoe could only be found in lime-rich soils. Mistletoe is a hemiparasite that roots in the wood of the host. Mistletoes produce sugars through photosynthesis, but they depend on their host for water and minerals. Therefore, the amount of lime in the host's leaves is important. However, it is now observed that the distribution area of mistletoe is no longer limited to lime-rich soils.

Although mistletoe extracts nutrients and water from the tree, it is not in the plant's interest for the tree to die, because then the life of the mistletoe also comes to an end. Usually, the tree will survive for a long time with the mistletoe. Only in times of water scarcity can the tree become severely weakened by the mistletoe.

Pascal Brackman