Importance
Phoradendron mistletoes that infect conifers are widely distributed in the Western United States and Mexico on a number of common and valuable hosts. In the United States, Phoradendron are most important in California on incense cedar and true fir across the Southwest from California to Texas on junipers.
Extensive infections and mortality are uncommon in ashes. However, infections occur typically in open-grown trees (grown in a scattered arrangement in the plant community). These mistletoes are used as greenery in Christmas decorations.
Many species of hardwood trees are affected by mistletoe, but oaks and hickories are most commonly attacked. The impact of infestation is not normally severe, but the parasite may lower individual branch vigor. Where infestations are severe, tree decline may progress to the point where insect and fungus pests combine to kill trees.
Read more about this topic: Phoradendron
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