Cultivation of mistletoe

For a long time the cultivation of mistletoe on certain types of host trees only rarely found in nature, such as mistletoe-bearing oaks and elm trees, has been regarded as an ambitious challenge.

It is imperative for sustainable mistletoe cultivation on oak and elm trees to pick sites with a suitable climate and optimal soil conditions. This way selected trees can fully develop their disposition for mistletoe and can grow under the most natural and protected conditions possible.

At first, mistletoe seeds are placed on young branches along the treetop’s periphery, where mistletoe bushes are able to steadily grow and fully develop over many years. Later on, birds may take over the further spreading of the mistletoe.