One of our older cox variety of apple trees is slowly being dwarfed by the most fantastic mistletoe plant. Each year it produces masses of gorgeous berries and this year was no exception. Our neighbours who also have a number of old apple trees have a couple of trees that are more mistletoe than apple. The plant is symbiotic in that it extends its roots through the tree itself. I’m not sure how harmful they are to the tree but they look so magnificent, ancient and somehow primeval that it is a real pleasure to have a plant in the garden that some people spend their whole lives trying to cultivate.
Apparently all you need to do is to rub the sticky seed against the bark. Make sure that the seed is somewhere where it will catch the sun. I think they take years to germinate and are really difficult to get going. The best you can hope for is a friendly Mistle Thrush doing the job for you. Mistletoe plants certainly seem to love apple trees viewing the number you see in Normandy and in Somerset. It may be the openness of the trees and the friability of the bark.
