Mistletoe in Fairfield??? Or???

Discussion in 'Plants: Identification' started by Jen Wor, Feb 17, 2017.

  1. Jen Wor

    Jen Wor New Member

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    Location:
    Fairfield, Victoria BC
    This tree is right near Fairfield Thrifty's / Ross Bay cemetery (on Stannard Ave). It has many giant twiggy/leafy spheres growing in it just like mistletoe. What is this plant/ parasite? A few of the trees on the street have it, but this one the most. I attached a jpg file.
     

    Attached Files:

  2. Silver surfer

    Silver surfer Generous Contributor 10 Years

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    Location:
    PERTHSHIRE. SCOTLAND.UK
    Welcome to the forums Jen Wor.
    In Britain these are very common in birch trees.
    Here they are called Witch's broom.
    Quote wiki....."A witch's broom or witches' broom is a disease or deformity in a woody plant, typically a tree, where the natural structure of the plant is changed. A dense mass of shoots grows from a single point, with the resulting structure resembling a broom or a bird's nest."


    Witch's broom - Wikipedia

    Witch's broom tree - Google Search
     
  3. Jen Wor

    Jen Wor New Member

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    Fairfield, Victoria BC
    Oh my gosh!! Cool! Thanks for the reply!
     
  4. Daniel Mosquin

    Daniel Mosquin Paragon of Plants UBC Botanical Garden Forums Administrator Forums Moderator 10 Years

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    Likely induced by a fungus species within the genus Taphrina.
     

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