Parasitic plants are plants that rely on other plants for their nutrients. They may be small, but they’ve been known to bring down the mightiest of trees by sapping them of valuable nutrients. This inhibits growth and leaves trees susceptible to disease, pests and, eventually, failure. Today our tree experts in Johnson City are exploring some of the most common parasitic plants, how they can damage your trees and how you can effectively remove them.
What are parasitic plants?
Typical plants synthesize their food through photosynthesis. This is when plants convert light energy from the sun into energy for trees. Photosynthesis is necessary for the oxygen we breathe and for forming the foundation of most food chains. Parasitic plants, on the other hand, attach themselves to a host plant, like your tree, and will extract water and nutrients from the tree. This can, unfortunately, weaken and even kill your tree.
What are common parasitic plants in Tennessee?
- Mistletoe — Most people know about mistletoe because of a Christmas decorating tradition, but it is actually one of the most common parasitic plants in Tennessee. The green-leaf plant with white berries attaches to the branches of a tree and penetrates the bark to reach water and nutrients. It is more easily identified in the winter months when leaves have fallen from its host tree. The genus for oak mistletoe in the Greek language is Phoradendron, which translates to “tree thief.” The parasitic plant causes stress to the host tree, causing reduced growth or branches to die back.
- Dodder — This is a twining, vine-like, leafless plant that ranges in color from brown to light orange. Some people compare it to silly string or even spaghetti. Like mistletoe, this parasitic plant depends on nutrients from a host plant — which can include landscape and nursery-grown ornamentals — to survive. If undetected or untreated, it’s invasive enough to cover an entire tree canopy.
What are the impacts of parasitic plants on trees?
Parasitic plants can have several detrimental effects on trees, including:
- Nutrient and water deprivation — This is an obvious problem since parasitic plants use the host tree’s nutrients and water to survive. Over time, this weakens the host tree.
- Increased disease susceptibility — Weakened trees are more vulnerable to diseases and pest infestations that can kill a tree.
- Reduced growth and vigor — The drain these plants cause to a tree’s energy can stunt its growth and reduce its overall vitality.
- Structural damage — Heavy infestations of parasitic plants can cause branches to die back, potentially leading to structural instability.
How can I tell if parasitic plants are affecting my trees?
Besides looking for the plant itself, here are a few warning signs that your tree may be showing if it is struggling with parasitic plants:
- A large, swollen mass growing from the trunk
- An unusual quantity of twigs or branches growing from a single branch
- Dead sections of tree bark
Arborists in Kingsport, Johnson City, and Bristol, Tennessee
If you think you may be dealing with a parasitic plant problem, or if you’d like to schedule an evaluation of your trees’ health, call our ISA-certified arborists at Promier Tree in the Tri-cities area at (423) 872-2988, or contact us online today.