I have enjoyed writing weekly columns for The Robesonian newspaper for almost 20 years. During these years, I have been fortunate that occasionally my column is published on a special day. Ever so often my column gets published on Christmas Day, New Year's Day, or Thanksgiving Day. On these days there is no question how I want to start the column.

Since today is Christmas Day, my staff and I would like to wish you a very Merry Christmas and an enjoyable and prosperous New Year. This past year has created challenges for all of us, and there is some uncertainty about the future. However, we all have accomplished much this past year, and there is much we should be thankful for.

This is a special time of the year. Although the season is hectic, on this special day, at least for just one day, everything will slow down. Hopefully, we can enjoy the peace and quite of the season and can spend some quality time with our family and friends.

Two weeks ago, I alerted you that if you believe in old wives' tales, there are some signs that we might be in store for a harsh winter. According to the old-timers, an abundance of berries and nuts is a sure sign that the winter will be colder than average. There is an abundance of berries and nuts this year, but we have to wait and see if the winter is going to actually be colder than normal.

I don't think it has anything to do with predictions for either a mild or cold winter or is a sign of changing climates. But have you noticed the drastic increase in the amount of mistletoe in trees and shrubs throughout the area?

Mistletoe has never been rare, but in years past, it was fairly difficult to locate. As Christmas approached, if someone needed mistletoe to decorate the home, they had to convince someone to make a trip to the river, the swamps, or to dense woodlands in order to find some. One might be lucky as they floated the river and find a low-hanging branch with mistletoe, but most times, a rifle was needed to shoot the springs of mistletoe from the tops of trees. During the holiday season, mistletoe was such a popular commodity that a few energetic individuals could earn extra money by gathering it from the swamps and selling it beside the road along with garland, trees, and other natural decorations.

Mistletoe has become very abundant today. It can be found virtually everywhere throughout this region. Many trees in the area have mistletoe in them, and some of trees have a lot of mistletoe. If you want mistletoe for decorations, you only need to take a casual walk through the neighborhood, and you will most likely find some in a branch low enough to the ground you don't even need a ladder.

Mistletoe is a parasitic evergreen plant. It is not very noticeable during the summer when trees are full of leaves, but as leaves fall from the trees, mistletoe becomes much more noticeable.

Mistletoe reproduces by sticky white berries that are spread by birds and humans. These berries are actually poisonous and are probably the reason mistletoe is not used as often for home decorations as in past years.

Since it is a parasitic plant, mistletoe takes nutrients and moisture from the host tree. Although it seldom kills its host tree, it can seriously weaken the tree making it much more susceptible to death from drought, disease, or insects. Although sweet gum is one of the primary hosts for mistletoe, it can be found on many other trees including black walnut, oak, ash, birch, box elder, and cottonwood. It is even occasionally found on fruit trees and nut trees.

The best way to control mistletoe is to prune out infested branches. Infested branches should be cut at least one foot below where mistletoe is attached. If mistletoe is attached to the trunk or a main branch that is too large to prune, the mistletoe should be cut flush with the trunk or branch. This will slow the spread and growth of the mistletoe, but it will eventually grow back.

To prevent regrowth, wrap the cut area with several layers of landscape fabric and tie it with flexible tape. This keeps light from reaching parts of the mistletoe that are still in the tree. Even so, it may take several years for the mistletoe to die completely. If the covering becomes detached, be sure to replace it.

We are all aware that according to a Christmas custom, when two people meet under hanging mistletoe, they are obliged to kiss. This custom originated in Scandinavia where mistletoe was considered the plant of peace. According to their customs, if enemies met by chance beneath mistletoe in a forest, they laid down their arms and maintained a truce until the next day. This ancient Scandinavian custom led to the tradition of kissing under the mistletoe.

I encourage you to help reestablish the popularity of using mistletoe to decorate the home during the Christmas season. Since mistletoe is easy to find, it will take very little effort to increase the cheer around your house this Christmas season.

Merry Christmas.

E-mail address: Everett_Davis@ncsu.edu

Mailing Address:
P. O. Box 2280
Lumberton, NC 28359-2280

Phone: 910-671-3276
Fax: 910-671-6278

Date Created 03/18/09