A kiss under the mistletoe…a timeless holiday tradition that we’ve all heard of. If you look around, you’ll be sure to find some growing on the branches of several different species of hardwood trees throughout the Panhandle. This same mistletoe is often harvested and brought inside to add a festive touch to holiday decorations.
Mistletoe hanging in pecan tree. Photo credit: Danielle Williams.
The species we have here is known as American or oak mistletoe. It only grows in deciduous trees that shed their leaves annually. While mistletoe has over 200 host plants, you’ll find it most commonly in oaks, maples, and pecans. Look for a green, ball shaped mass about 3’ wide in the tops of trees. Each mass is an individual mistletoe plant, and some trees may have a few or many.
Mistletoe. UF/IFAS Photo by Tyler Jones.
Mistletoe is a small, evergreen shrub with white berries. It is considered a hemi-parasitic plant because it can produce some of its own food through photosynthesis, but it also relies on its host tree for water and nutrients. Most healthy trees can tolerate mistletoe without suffering any significant harm. However, trees that become severely infested with mistletoe can become weakened and decline in health, especially if the tree is already stressed by pests, drought or disease.
Pecan Tree Infested with Mistletoe. Photo credit: Danielle Williams.
If you have mistletoe growing on trees in your yard, the best way to support the trees is to maintain their overall health through proper watering, fertilization and pest management. If you suspect trees on your property are suffering from mistletoe, you can prune the infected branches. Since mistletoe roots from its host tree, simply cutting it flush with the branch will not kill it. You can remove the roots by pruning at least six inches below the point of attachment.
While some may consider mistletoe to be a nuisance, it does provide ecological benefits. Mistletoe serves as a valuable resource to our wildlife, primarily birds and insects. Oak mistletoe is the only food source for the larvae of the great purple hairstreak butterfly.
If you are considering harvesting mistletoe this winter to use for decoration, be sure to place it carefully. Mistletoe berries and all parts of the plant are poisonous to humans so keep plants and decorations out of the reach of children and pets. For more information on mistletoe, contact your local UF/IFAS Extension Office.
Please join UF/IFAS Extension for the Orchard Crop Diversification Field Day, on Wednesday, October 23rd. This event will be held from 8:30 – 11:30AM Eastern Time, at the UF/IFAS North Florida Research & Education Center (NFREC), located at 155 Research Road, Quincy, Florida.
Muscadine grapes growing on a vine. UF/IFAS Photo.
This is a free event aimed at educating commercial farmers, home gardeners, landowners, and industry representatives about some of the potential crop diversification options for North Florida orchards, such as persimmon, blueberry, finger lime, muscadine, pecan, and citrus. Crop diversification is the practice of growing a variety of crops to enhance sustainability, improve soil health, increase biodiversity, and mitigate risks. While there are potential benefits to crop diversification, there are also potential challenges. The field day aims to present attendees with the potential benefits, challenges, and current research associated with the crop options presented.
Attendees will be able to visit the persimmon, pecan, and blackberry plantings at UF/IFAS North Florida Research & Education Center in Quincy. On the tour, attendees will have the opportunity to learn about production practices as well as sample the different persimmon varieties. Light refreshments and lunch will be provided. Space is limited, so please register using the link below or by calling 850-875-7255 to reserve your spot!
The warm temperatures of summer bring a wide array of pests and one of my least favorites is ticks. If you’ve ever experienced their itchy bite, you know ticks can certainly put a damper on gardening and being outdoors in general. In our area, ticks are present year-round but are the most active during warm weather, from April through September. Understanding ticks, their life cycle, habitat, and the dangers they present is crucial for minimizing the risks they pose to both humans and animals.
Ticks are widely recognized for the transmission of diseases to humans and animals, most notably Lyme disease. Although ticks feed on humans, we are not their preferred blood meal. While there are many species throughout the world, only a few species are able to actually transmit diseases to humans. The black-legged tick, also known as the deer tick, is the main vector for Lyme disease. Although the black-legged tick is not the most prevalent tick in Florida and few cases of Lyme disease have been reported in Florida, it is still important to be aware. Other species that are common in our area are the brown dog tick, the American dog tick, and the lone star tick.
Lone Star Tick, male (left), female (right). Credit: J.F. Butler
Ticks are not insects and are more closely related to spiders. Adult ticks have eight legs. Ticks have four life cycle stages: egg, larva, nymph and adult. All ticks feed on blood during some or all stages on their life. Depending on the species, a female can lay anywhere from 1,000 to 6,500 eggs in her lifetime. When ticks feed, they make a small hole in the skin, attach themselves with their mouthparts, and insert their piercing mouthparts to remove blood.
Research shows that ticks must feed for several hours to transmit disease causing organisms, so quick identification and removal can help reduce tick-borne disease. If you find a tick attached to your skin, remove it as soon as you see it. The best way to remove it is with a pair of tweezers. Grasp on the tick’s mouthparts and pull it straight out with firm pressure. Don’t twist or yank on it too quickly as this can cause some of the tick to remain attached to your skin. You should thoroughly clean the area where the tick was and keep an eye out for any sign of infection. If you become ill after a tick bite, contact your physician.
The best way to prevent your yard from becoming a tick haven is to keep your yard mowed and to remove any leaf litter and brush laying around. These places provide refuge for ticks. Beware that wildlife such as raccoons, skunks, deer, and mice harbor ticks so you may want to discourage them from coming to your yard. You should also regularly check pets who might enter tick infested areas.
While outside, wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants tucked into socks if entering into tick infested areas. Clothing that is light colored make ticks more visible and easier to pick off. You can apply tick repellent to socks and shoes to prevent them from crawling onto clothing. It’s important to inspect yourself frequently while outside or after working in areas suspected of being infested with ticks! For more information on ticks, contact your local UF/IFAS Extension Office.
Citrus scab, caused by the fungal pathogen Elsinoë fawcettii, is a common disease affecting citrus trees in the home landscape such as satsuma mandarins, tangelos, grapefruit, and other tangerine hybrids. This disease affects the leaves, fruit, and twigs of citrus trees, creating unattractive, wart-like lesions. While citrus scab is rarely fatal to the tree, it can reduce the quality and marketability of the fruit.
Citrus scab on young satsuma mandarin fruit. Photo Credit: Danielle Williams
Identification and Symptoms
The most noticeable symptom of citrus scab is the development of corky, irregularly shaped lesions on the surfaces of leaves and fruit. These lesions start as small, pale, slightly raised areas that gradually enlarge and turn dark brown to light gray. On leaves, the lesions often appear on the lower surface, giving them a warty appearance. Fruit may exhibit scab lesions, which can cause deformities and discoloration, making them less appealing for consumption, however it does not make the fruit inedible.
Raised lesions of citrus scab on leaf. Photo Credit: Danielle Williams.
Understanding the Disease Cycle
Citrus scab thrives in warm, moist conditions and is primarily spread through wind-driven rain that carries the fungal spores to new infection sites. The spores can overwinter in infected plant debris and on asymptomatic parts of the tree, leading to new infections during the growing season. Recognizing this cycle can help residents take preventative measures during critical times of the year.
Management and Control
To keep citrus scab at bay, homeowners should employ a combination of cultural practices as well as careful chemical use when necessary.
Cultural Practices
Sanitation: Regularly remove and dispose of fallen leaves, fruit, and other plant debris to reduce the number of overwintering spores. This practice is particularly important in the fall and early spring.
Pruning: Prune the tree to improve air circulation within the canopy. This reduces humidity levels around the foliage, making the environment less conducive to fungal growth.
Irrigation Management: Avoid overhead irrigation. Overhead watering can splash spores onto healthy tissue, spreading the infection. Instead, water trees at the root zone or use microsprinkler irrigation.
Chemical Control:
Fungicides: Applying fungicides can help protect new growth from infection. Copper-based fungicides are commonly used and can be effective. It is important to read and follow the product label on application timing and directions for use. Typically, fungicides for controlling scab should be applied in early spring when new growth begins.
Conclusion
Regularly inspect your citrus trees for signs of citrus scab, especially after periods of rain and humidity. Early detection and treatment are crucial to prevent widespread infection. Maintaining a healthy tree through proper fertilization, watering, and pest management can also reduce the tree’s susceptibility to diseases like citrus scab.
Please join us for the Persimmon Field Day on Friday, October 20th, from 8:30 – 11:30AM at the UF/IFAS North Florida Research & Education Center (NFREC), located at 155 Research Road, Quincy, FL.
This is a free field day on growing persimmons in North Florida! Attendees will be able to visit the persimmon grove to see how trees are grown, maintained, and harvested as well as sample the different persimmon varieties grown at the UF/IFAS North Florida Research & Education Center in Quincy. Light refreshments will be provided. Space is limited, so please register using the link below or by calling 850-875-7255 to reserve your spot!
Tentative Agenda:
(All Times Eastern Standard)
8:30-8:45 AM – Registration
8:45-9:00 AM – Welcome and Introduction, Dr. Muhammad Shahid, Fruit Physiologist, UF/IFAS North Florida Research and Education Center
9:00-9:05 AM – Opening Remarks, Dr. Dean Pringle, Center Director, UF/IFAS North Florida Research and Education Center
9:00-9:35 AM – Introduction to Persimmon Fruit, Dr. Muhammad Shahid, Fruit Physiologist, UF/IFAS North Florida Research and Education Center and Dr. Ali Sarkhosh, Associate Professor, UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences
9:45-10:00 AM – Load Trolley and Travel to Persimmon Grove at UF/IFAS NFREC
10:00-11:00 AM – Persimmon Grove Walk and Talk (Persimmon Fruit Tasting and Open Discussion in the Field)
11:00-11:15 AM – Load Trolley and Travel Back to NFREC Conference Room
11:15 AM – Adjourn
For any questions, please contact Danielle Williams (dsprague@ufl.edu or 850-875-7255) or KeAndre Leaks at leaks.k@ufl.edu or 850-875-7150.
The University of Florida is committed to providing universal access to all of our events. For disability accommodations such as sign language interpreters and listening devices, please contact KeAndre Leaks, (leaks.k@ufl.edu, 850-875- 7150) at least 2 weeks in advance. Advance notice is necessary to arrange for some accessibility needs.
