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LibertyLizard@slrpnk.net

How we brought mistletoes back to the trees of Melbourne – while warding off hungry possums (theconversation.com)

submitted 2 years ago by Treevan@aussie.zone to c/treehuggers@slrpnk.net

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cross-posted from: https://aussie.zone/post/2027785

Unlike other plants that can be grown as seedlings and planted out, mistletoes rely on animals to plant their seeds on the branches of host trees.

We set out on a world-first trial to attempt to reintroduce mistletoe to the trees of Melbourne.

All of Australia's mistletoes are native species.

Working closely with City of Melbourne staff, research scientists from the Gulbali Institute undertook a world-first trial of the reintroduction of a native mistletoe to street trees.

Five years after inoculation, we found mistletoes had established on five trees.

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[–] LibertyLizard@slrpnk.net 2 points 2 years ago

Pretty interesting project. I’d be curious how they might affect the health of already stressed urban trees. Some of our local mistletoes can severely infest some trees, leading to poor health and limb dieback. I understand they have benefit to our birds but generally the benefit of the trees is much greater.

On the other hand, I’ve seen some extremely aggressive pruning meant to eradicate mistletoe that leads to decay and ultimately the death of the tree. Maybe it was doomed from the mistletoe already but one has to wonder if the cure is worse than the disease.

[–] Treevan@aussie.zone 1 points 2 years ago

Valid concerns that are underpinned by improper urban forestry practises regarding the health of trees.

I'd guess we need to move away from the 'street tree' as a singular unit and place it into the 'urban forest' where trees die on the regular in a natural succession. This includes parasitisation, standing and fallen wood (and leaf litter) etc. We need forest layers.

Bit hard now that the cities are places for cars to drive around but there is hope for the future!

One thing that old people used to say to us is that rapists and/or snakes hide in the undergrowth. You can't win.