Mistletoe Conservation

Mistletoe Conservation - Introduction


		In the global context mistletoe conservation is not a major issue. There are some well-publicised problems, such as the possible decline of European mistletoe as its apple orchard habitat changes. And there are some very specific issues, such as the apparent crisis facing the New Zealand mistletoe Peraxilla tetrapetala as its bird pollinators decline in number.
		These pages review some of these issues, mostly with regard to the European species. On a world scale it is often mistletoe control, not conservation, that is the main concern. Many species can be serious pests, significantly reducing timber yield in commercial forestry, or fruit yield in orchards. Chemical control is not easy as herbicides can also damage hosts, and physical control by pruning is often impractical or ineffective, as subcortical strands below host bark will regrow.	Large quantities of mistletoe in a host tree - no obvious conservation problem here!
		There is considerable information on control issues for Dwarf Mistletoes in commercial forests and there are regular accounts of the need to control more 'everyday' species such as the Phoradendron species of North America. The control issue can create another conservation problem - how best to conserve the obligate insect fauna, such the Hairstreak butterflies that feed on North American mistletoes. These could be encouraged - as a type of natural control.
		Protection for a newly planted mistletoe seed in Bromley, London	In much of northern Europe there is a growing realisation that mistletoe can be at risk - and there are now several initiatives to try to reverese mistletoe decline in specific areas. The conservation initiatives in some cities (including London) are described on the European Cities page.