Tree Top Greens: Mistletoe - the culprit!

One of the joys of Sacramento life is our tremendous tree population. Our trees cool our homes in summer, provide recreation for climbers and swingers, and provide homes for birds and other wildlife. Additionally, they improve our home values and air quality, and even have a role in preventing flooding!

Driving around this winter, I’ve noticed that many large deciduous trees are remaining leafy in winter – a telling sign of mistletoe infestation (see picture for an example of mistletoe).  It’s a common problem and an important one to resolve – mistletoe strangles a tree’s ability to acquire its necessary lifesaving nutrients and makes it more susceptible to other diseases.

Now’s the time to act!  The best time to remove mistletoe is between November and March. To remove the mistletoe properly, here are some great options:

1.       Contact a certified arborist.  After multiple interviews for our large trees, I hired Tree Care Inc. (916-852-9500) and they were outstanding. For a guide to finding a tree specialist, visit http://www.sactree.com/aboutUs/how_to_hirearborist.pdf

2.     Borrow a free pole saw from the City of Sacramento by calling 916.808.6355  and cut it yourself. The staff at the Sacramento Tree Foundation is very supportive and will surely assist you.

3.     The City of Sacramento, partnered with the Sacramento Tree Foundation, will help City residents with a low-cost professional pruning service for front yard street trees.  It runs through March 31, so sign up now by calling 916.808.6355. More information is available at www.cityofsacramento.org, enter the keyword mistletoe for a quick link.

When the cold weather departs and we’re hit with sky-high temperatures once again, you’ll be thrilled that your winter maintenance has assured your trees’ health for years to come.

(Join the Sacramento Tree Foundation!)