Mistletoe

Mistletoe (Viscum Album) - This on trees is often welcome in the pleasure ground or orchard, and is not without beauty of color, but where abundant it is injurious, being a true parasite which thrives at the expense of its victim. It grows on many trees, both evergreen and summer-leafing—orchard trees, Limes, Poplars, Elms, Willows, Hornbeam, Beech, Acacia, Horse-chestnut, Firs—rarely on the Oak in Britain. Where the plant is wild the thrushes spread it about by wiping the seeds off their bills on the bark, and where plentiful it is very injurious to fruit trees and timber. As to the best way of increasing this plant, Mr F. W. Burbidge wrote:—

"I find growth of the seeds certain if they are placed on clean, fresh, smooth bark in April or May, and then covered with one thickness of black muslin or lawn, so that birds do not peck them away, as they do if unprotected. Many make the mistake of putting on the seeds at or about Christmas-time before they have ripened enough to grow. Do not cut slits in the bark; the best way is simply to apply it to the clean bark only."