February 25, 2009
-
Mistletoe Mess
My neighbors to the east of us have built a new, big, gorgeous house. They are a young mennonite couple with many fancy things. They have very fancy cars, a very fancy barn, very fancy atvs, and you get the picture. They have sodded almost all of their property and it's very nice. This fall they had large trees planted. (I can't imagine how much that must have cost.)
Wesley has met him once and I have met her once. I invited them to a party we had, but they didn't show. Anyhow, to my point. I have noticed that one of their new trees has mistletoe in it. We have a lot of nicely established trees on our property. And I had one get sick last summer and I'm pretty sure it's okay now, but it hurt my feelings to think I might lose it. I really don't want to have to fight with mistletoe, too. I don't know a lot about it, but I do know that it's a parasite and will kill trees. I'm not sure if the neighbors know that it's mistletoe...but I'm certain it is.
I wonder if I should say something? And if so what should I say? What would you do?
Comments (8)
well if you're like me and have cute kids, you cash in on the deal while you can. have them collect the mistletoe, wrap it in red ribbon and sell it at Christmas!
ok, that's not much help. next time you run into them you might mention what you've seen and gently suggest what they can spray the trees with to catch it before it gets too far out of hand. They simply may not know. Mistletoe usually doesn't kill a tree quickly (if at all) , but it sure can spread that way. Good luck!
Mornin Glorie......I agree with K8t - mistletoe doesn't usually kill trees but it does spread and I'm pretty sure it doesn't do them any good whatsoever - Your neighbors probably don't know about it - in fact I don't think I've ever even seen mistletoe in your part of the world....but.....if the neighbors had enough money to have the trees planted like that the trees are probably under some type of guarantee and if not they probably have the money to call in a tree expert - you should mention it to them for sure - the birds eat the mistletoe berries and spread it around that way - and it spreads pretty fast - I have a bunch of it.....and I do believe it's poisonous so be careful not to let Caden mess with it...ilym
Hmmm. Have ya'll done the iron treatment yet? You might check back with the extension agent to see if this would be a good time of year to do that. Your neighbors may like their mistletoe. I don't think I'd run over there and say, 'listen your mistletoe is a blight on the neighborhood trees', but if you just happened to be walking by and they were out there you could say, 'I noticed you have mistletoe, it's kind of cool, but did you know it's poisonous and spreads like crazy?'. You could offer to give them the number of the county extension agent since you've had problems too. Lord knows we need to do everything we can to save any tree that has become established in this part of the country. Love You
Mistletoe? Trees? what are those things? HA HA Just kidding. Trees are scarce here in the desert, but they do have them up on the mountains near Tahoe. You asked for opinions though and I always have one to give. I see no problem with you mentioning your concerns to your neighbors. Approaching the problem with tact, concern , and neighborly friendliness, all which I am sure your posses in large quantities, there shouldn't be any issues at all, in addition it may be a way for you to find some common ground with the new folks. I think your Mom's suggestion of offering them assistance with the issue is a good one. I certianly don't like it when some one points out a problem to me but is unwilling to offer any solution. Let us know how it goes - Gal
You know me, I'm a coward about confrontation even if I'm trying to help. SO, if I were you, I would find some informaiton off the internet and kindly mail it to them in fancy envelope (wiht NO return address) and hope they get the point. Regardless, keep Caden away from that place. What's up with the iron thing? Also, thank you so much for dinner last night, our lunch today and possibly dinner again tonight. It is wonderful and Dusty want's me to get the recipe for the cookies. Maybe if I gt the receipe he'll replace my broken oven so I can bake again!
Yes. You should talk to them. I'm sure they would appreciate the heads-up, if they don't know that it's there or they don't know that it's harmful. They spent the money for the trees to be planted, so they obviously want them and I'm sure they'd much rather them be healthy! :0) Plus, if they have kids, then they should know that the mistletoe is poisonous, as I'm sure they would NOT be interested in harming any children.
I know you will approach the situation with the tact and poise we all know you possess so much of! Don't worry -- pray about it before you talk to them. Maybe this is an opportunity for your families to connect. Who knows? Perhaps it will bloom into another friendship!
Love you!
hey you! maybe mailing them something would be good if you don't talk to them on a regular basis. Sounds like they have some neat stuff... Maybe go over there and become friendly/friends so you can use their toys??! That misletoe is some nasty stuff. I remember from Ruidoso.
I would bake them a cake and greet them! These people may be your neighbors for years.. so start that relationship now. I would just casually mention the Mistletoe.. I'd bet money that she doesn't even know its there, much less that it might cause damage to your trees.. I would probably be happy if I saw it in a tree! and lure the Sexi-Mexi underneath so I could get some kisses...Who needs Christmas? lol
Comments are closed.