Mendip apple trees are the perfect host for growing mistletoe, but a decline in orchards is threatening this symbolic plant.
An article published the December edition of The Biologist, the Society of Biology's magazine, explains that the loss of orchards in the county may put the supply under threat.
Most mistletoe in Britain is found in Somerset, Worcestershire, Herefordshire and Gloucestershire, mainly due to the relatively cold winters and warm summers. This is helped by an abundance of orchards, a favourite mistletoe habitat.
Orchards, however, are declining, as ecologist Jonathan Briggs explains in his article: "Well-spaced apple trees are ideal for mistletoe, so the loss of orchards is bad news. The species isn't in danger, but we can't take our Christmas supply for granted. If we lose many more orchards we may find Christmas kisses in short supply.
"Mistletoe continues to thrive in parks and churchyards, growing on trees such as limes, hawthorns and poplars. The trouble with getting mistletoe from these trees is that it is high up and much harder to reach than it is in orchards."
Many neglected old orchards are becoming overgrown with too much mistletoe which may, ironically, provide a short-term peak in harvestable mistletoe. However, in large quantities, mistletoe can be damaging because it can effectively take over every branch of the tree to tap into the tree's supply of water and nutrients. This can kill the tree and increase the mistletoe shortage in the future. Better management is needed for both apple trees and mistletoe.
If you have mistletoe (Viscum album subsp. album) in your garden or orchard you can contribute to the understanding of its biology and management by filling in a survey at www.british.mistle toe.org.uk.
