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North West Weeds
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Postal address:
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Facts & figures
│
Mistletoe &
tree health│
Food
source
│Nest
sites │Effects
on diversity│Weed or wonder? │Mistletoe
management│More information? │Disclaimer
Mistletoe - friend or foe?
 This article has been
reproduced from the NHT "Grassy Box Woodlands Project Update Autumn 2001". Compiled
by Geoff Tonkin with permission from David Watson, Environmental Studies Unit, Charles Sturt University, Bathurst after a talk he gave at
a “Birds and Herds” day run by Greening
Australia.
- 90 species of
mistletoe are native to Australia of which 71 are endemic to Australia i.e.
only found in Australia
- No species have been introduced but
several species often parasitise on introduced trees
- Two species are root
parasites, all others aerial parasites, attaching to the host plant using a
specialized connection called a haustorium
- Mistletoe do NOT
necessarily kill trees as this can lead to their own deaths
- In low density,
mistletoe have few deleterious effects on their hosts
- Hosts have many
defenses which may be less effective when the tree is stressed.
- There is some evidence
that unhealthy trees are more prone to mistletoe infection
- One of few Australian
groups pollinated AND dispersed by animals
- Exhibits extended
flowering and fruiting season. Regionally there is always fruit and nectar
available
- The fruit is high in
protein, carbohydrates and lipids. Often at a time when nothing else is
available
- The leaves are very
nutritious, high in nitrogen, phosphorous and trace elements
- Feeds many Australian
birds and mammals especially during droughts and seasonal scarcity
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- A great nesting spot
for Australian birds and mammals
- A site which offer
dense cover and food close by
- Mistletoe also
encourages hollow formation on tree branches after the mistletoe dies
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The more mistletoe the
more food and nesting resources for native animals
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Previous
research has found a positive relationship between mistletoe and diversity
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In
a case study at Gundaroo there were fewer birds in a site in which mistletoe
has been removed
Mistletoe
– weed or wonder?
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Often abundant on road
side verges and remnant vegetation
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Considered by many
Landholders / Landmanagers as a noxious weed
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Rather than being the
cause of degradation, is actually an indicator of landscape health
-
Pollinated and spread
by birds, consumed by animals, controlled by fire and browsing
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Abundant mistletoe in a
remnant may indicate absence and scarcity of native consumers (e.g. Sugar
gliders and possums) and decreasing tree health
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Mistletoe management
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If you are concerned
that you have too much mistletoe on your property,
-
Try putting up some
nest boxes or hollow logs in high gum trees, to encourage possums and gliders
to come back. It appears that possums (both brush-tailed and ring-tailed) and
greater gliders can effectively control mistletoe abundance in many
areas—woodlands with unnaturally high levels of mistletoe are often missing
these native herbivores because of hunting, poisoning, or lack of suitable
habitat.
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Ensuring there are
sufficient hollows and minimize the use of poisons (especially 1080), possums
will naturally return and bring mistletoe back to normal levels.
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For isolated trees in
paddocks, possums will not risk travelling over open ground, and alternative
measures may be needed.
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Controlled burns in the
understorey are an effective management tool, not just for mistletoes but many
other native plants. Unlike many Australian native plants, mistletoes are
highly sensitive to fires; even low intensity burns restricted to the
understorey.
-
For trees containing
many mistletoe plants (more than 5–10), try pruning off the mistletoe. In
some cases, the tree will not respond, but it may respond with a flush of new
growth.
-
More than anything,
however, take the time to observe mistletoes. Once you start looking, you’ll
find nests in them, notice a wide range of animals feeding in them, and
generally appreciate them for the beautiful native plants that they are.
Email Woodland Management Group?
More information:
please contact Regional Liaison Officer Geoff Tonkin at:
tonkin@netwit.net.au.
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DISCLAIMER:
The information contained in this web site is based on knowledge and
understanding at the time of writing. However, because of advances in knowledge,
users are reminded of the need to ensure that information upon which they rely
is up to date and to check currency of the information with the appropriate
officer of North West Weeds County Council or the user’s independent adviser.
LRTanner 28/11/02
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North West Weeds
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