We will be closed Christmas Eve, Sunday, December 24 and Christmas Day, Monday, December 25 to celebrate with our friends and family.

We will also close New Year’s Eve, Sunday, December 31 and New Year’s Day, Monday, January 1.

We will not have a newsletter edition on Friday, December 29 but look for it again on Friday, January 5, 2007.

MR. ED’S TIPS:

All About Mistletoe

“Ho, ho, the mistletoe,” as Burl Ives would sing or, as my granddaughter would ask, “If athletes get athlete’s foot, what do astronauts get?” “Mistletoes!” giggle, giggle, she would answer.

There are so many urban legends about mistletoe that you can take your choice as to which to believe. I’m particularly partial to the one which relates to the Druids, who believed that mistletoe was a plant from God. In the barren hardwood forests of European winters, it was the only green plant and grew high in the tops of trees. It had to have had a heavenly origin. Therefore, mistletoe was used to decorate churches during weddings to ensure the blessing of God and so was associated with weddings. And since, there would be much hugging and kissing, this behavior became associated with mistletoe. Soon mistletoe became part of the holiday scene and kissing under the mistletoe was part of the festivities.

All parts of mistletoe can be poisonous to humans. However, a mild dilution of mistletoe tea was used by herbalists as a sedative and a heart relaxant. Some birds which are immune to the toxins use the berries as an important food source during the winter.

There are about 1300 species of mistletoe, two of which are native to the Bay Area. One grows only on conifers, the other most commonly in oak trees but has also been found in birch, silver maple, London plane, Poplar and a few other deciduous hardwoods. Mistletoe berries are sticky, and birds will scrape the berries and seeds off their feet and beaks onto a tree branch after having a berry snack. If all goes well for the mistletoe seed, it sprouts and the root grows into the conducting tubes of the host plant. Mistletoe is a semi-parasite because it does photosynthesize and relies on the host only for water and minerals. Eventually, a large tumor-like growth forms where the mistletoe attaches and blocks the flow of materials to the tips of the branch which then dies. Severe infestations could kill the tree.

The most simple control measure is to cut the branch about 9 to 12 inches toward the trunk from where the mistletoe is attached. Florel brand Growth Regulator also provides good control if sprayed on the mistletoe when the tree is dormant.

Among the New Year highlights are the seminars our Mr. Ed gives on Rose Pruning and Fruit Tree Pruning.

Mark your calendars now for the Fruit Tree Pruning Demonstration on January 7, 2007 from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm at the nursery. The how, why and when to prune deciduous fruit trees and citrus will be discussed. Spraying and fertilizing schedules will be outlined. We also will have instructional handouts available for you to take with you. All of our bare root stock will have arrived so you can pick up the new additions to your garden after the demonstration.

Then the next Sunday, January 14, from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm Mr. Ed will conduct our annual “hands-on” rose pruning seminar at Red Morton Community Park, 1400 Roosevelt Ave., Redwood City. Come prepared to prune roses. Bring your pruning shears and gloves because you will practice what you learn! If it rains, wear rain gear and water-resistant shoes. Mr. Ed will demonstrate pruning hybrid tea, floribunda, shrub and tree roses. He will also outline fertilizing and spray schedules. There will be instructional handouts to take with you.

Dress weather-appropriately for both events as they are outdoors. We will serve light refreshments at both events and there is, of course, no cost.

Plan to come to these informative demonstrations!