Mistletoe under threat of dying out

Kiss me quick before mistletoe goes

It has long been an excuse to see Christmas in with a bit of a snog but the West Country’s supply of mistletoe is still under threat of dying out, despite a new initiative to save it.


That was the warning from the National Trust and wildlife trusts in a new report looking at the continued decline of mistletoe in the region and across southern England.

With the plant traditionally growing on fruit trees, it was produced in the cider and perry orchards of Somerset, Devon, Gloucestershire and Herefordshire, but as orchard habitats have declined so has the amount of mistletoe growing there.

Wildlife experts say those orchards are rapidly disappearing, along with the knowledge of mistletoe management and harvesting techniques. And environmentalists warned last night that if the slump continues, there could be a threat to species linked to orchards, such as bees, butterflies, moths and deadwood invertebrates.

According to the National Trust, traditional orchards have declined by more than 60 per cent since the 1950s, and in some parts of the region, by up to 90 per cent.

A project was launched in 2009 by the National Trust and Natural England to help reverse the loss of the habitat by restoring traditional orchards, supporting small cottage industries producing cider and juices and promoting the growth of community-run orchards.

A National Trust spokesman said: “Orchards remain a key area of work for the Trust and mistletoe is a major part of their story and history. Across England, orchards have disappeared, so mistletoe has dwindled. It’s important that we support this plant for wildlife reasons.

“It needs to be harvested or it will kill off trees, and to support local farmers who sell mistletoe and to maintain this Christmas tradition.

“People can also grow their own mistletoe. The best time is February to graft it on to fruit trees,” he added.

Mistletoe has long been associated with Christmas and mid-winter customs, believed to date back to pre-historic times as a symbol of ongoing life during the winter months.

Its disappearance is proving a concern because it helps support wildlife, providing winter food for birds such as the blackcap and mistle thrush.

It also supports six specialist insects, including the scarce mistletoe marble moth, some sap-sucking bugs and the affectionately-named “kiss me slow weevil”.

The kissing custom is a British version of those ancient traditions, while in France mistletoe is seen as a good luck symbol at New Year.

If the decline continues, the loss of oher wildlife will also be accompanied by Christmas consumers having to buy more expensive mistletoe from mainland Europe.


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