Dwarf mistletoe Dwarf mistletoes are small, leafless, parasitic flowering plants. They cause major damage to ponderosa, lodgepole, limber and pinyon pines as well as Douglas fir. Hardwood trees aren't affected.
Infection starts when a dwarf mistletoe seed comes into contact with a suitable host.
The seeds are explosively discharged at speeds up to 60 miles per hour. The seeds are sticky and adhere to any surface they strike. As the seed germinates, it grows into the bark and tissue of the host tree. The parasite produces root-like structures called sinkers that take water and nutrients from the host. Tree death occurs slowly as it is robbed of essential water and nutrients year after year.