These customs and beliefs have carried over and are the precursor of mistletoe's present use at Christmas time. Mistletoe is not like typical plants which obtain support, water and nutrients from the soil in which they grow. Mistletoe is a parasite, which lives in the tops of trees. It sends out roots, which penetrate the bark and enter the water and nutrient conducting tissue of a tree. After a young mistletoe plant is established, it grows very quickly and lives about ten years, after which it usually dies from mechanical breakage or excessive shade.
Mistletoe seed is spread to other branches and more mistletoe clusters grow into the tree.
Eventually the tree is weakened and will decline in health as it is robbed of its nutrition by the clinging mistletoe. Mistletoe is very difficult to control because a portion of it grows into the tree's tissue. Breaking away the mistletoe is ineffective as it will redevelop at the point of removal and produce another clump. The most successful method of control is to remove a sizeable section of wood at the point of attachment from the host limb. If mistletoe is on a small limb, the entire limb should be pruned about one foot below the point where the mistletoe attaches.