Interesting fact about "witch's brooms"--they are often started in confers (Western hemlock, ponderosa pine, Douglas-fir) by dwarf mistletoe infestation, especially if the infestation infects the top of the tree. The damaged apical meristem stops producing hormones that suppress the growth of the other meristems, resulting multiple meristems spreading upward until one achieves dominance again.
In forestry, we would "sanitize" mistletoe infestations because it results in trees that have low value (they're not straight and they grow slower).
Thought you might appreciate one of your favorite "bad" plants being involved in that...😁
I’m sorry, all I heard was “trees that have low value” and now I’m starting a campaign to raise awareness for this issue of undervalued trees. All trees are good and equal 😭
P.S. Yes I also have an “it’s not a weed problem, it’s a you problem” campaign.
P.P.S. I feel a little bit bad about the whole mistletoe thing, especially considering American mistletoe isn’t even dangerous. Plus I love a parasitic plant. High ten for dodder 🙌
Interesting fact about "witch's brooms"--they are often started in confers (Western hemlock, ponderosa pine, Douglas-fir) by dwarf mistletoe infestation, especially if the infestation infects the top of the tree. The damaged apical meristem stops producing hormones that suppress the growth of the other meristems, resulting multiple meristems spreading upward until one achieves dominance again.
In forestry, we would "sanitize" mistletoe infestations because it results in trees that have low value (they're not straight and they grow slower).
Thought you might appreciate one of your favorite "bad" plants being involved in that...😁
P.S. Search for "dwarf mistletoe witches broom"
I’m sorry, all I heard was “trees that have low value” and now I’m starting a campaign to raise awareness for this issue of undervalued trees. All trees are good and equal 😭
P.S. Yes I also have an “it’s not a weed problem, it’s a you problem” campaign.
P.P.S. I feel a little bit bad about the whole mistletoe thing, especially considering American mistletoe isn’t even dangerous. Plus I love a parasitic plant. High ten for dodder 🙌
😂 "low value" as lumber.
High value as wildlife trees.
Something I had a lot of arguments with foresters over...😂
Oof I bet, I don’t envy those conversations.
Hey, we biologists won the owl wars so I can’t complain…😂