Pine Tree Parasitic Growth - how to resolve?
BassistVince, Thu Aug 06 2020, 05:27PM

Hello everyone. Thanks in advance for any help.
Does anyone have experience with or knowledge of this parasitic growth?



This fungus or parasitic growth has infected one tree, but another tree right next to it is entirely unaffected (currently).

Thank you very much.
-Vince



Re: Pine Tree Parasitic Growth - how to resolve?
solargardens, Thu Aug 06 2020, 07:08PM

Looks like Arceuthobium or dwarf mistletoe.
Don't know much about it but i would try to "Google" it for a solution .
Maybe a spray or ? mistletoe.
Good luck

Re: Pine Tree Parasitic Growth - how to resolve?
BassistVince, Thu Aug 06 2020, 07:42PM

Thanks very much. Now that I know what to search with, perhaps i can make some gains. I don't want this to spread to anyone else. Have a great weekend.

Re: Pine Tree Parasitic Growth - how to resolve?
KK, Fri Aug 07 2020, 07:50AM

If you don’t have any luck with it you can call Marty Murray at Native Scapes. He is a licensed arborists. 909-547-3894

Re: Pine Tree Parasitic Growth - how to resolve?
solargardens, Fri Aug 07 2020, 09:59AM

Ditto on Marty
And he supports the Xeriscape tour!!

Re: Pine Tree Parasitic Growth - how to resolve?
BassistVince, Fri Aug 07 2020, 10:08AM

Thank you for your information, everyone. Here is some additional follow-up:

• I did attempt to call Marty Murray with Native Scapes, and was patched quickly through to someone who was immediately available to take my call.
• Mistletoe (Dwarf or otherwise) is the one single parasitic infestation category that they do not treat (because it is very difficult to eradicate).
• Known tactics to take:
— Wrap the mistletoe in a black plastic bag, as tightly as possible, to envelop the entire area of the branch that is infected. (This from Native Scapes)
— Remove infected branches
— Eventually having to remove the entire tree... (which requires a permit, but I need to read more on this)

Thanks all.

Re: Pine Tree Parasitic Growth - how to resolve?
holeinbow, Tue Sep 15 2020, 10:37PM

All my trees have it here on red ant hill, stunts growth and swells branches. Reproduces with exploding seedpods that cast seeds several feet when the pods are ripe. Seeds stick to whatever they hit and get washed (slimed?) to the branch by rain,where they sprout. Per a friend from forestry who's familiar with the penny pines dwarf mistletoe study area up 2n10, there is no chemical way of eradicating it. So i cut the deadwood and it keeps us warm...