Last, but certainly not least, the Robinia (False Acacia). There are several seedlings on this – it seems to be a peculiarly susceptible species. But none have developed true leaves – most seem to have been grazed like those on the willow. Several are fighting back – with new shoot primordia apparent from the edges – maybe this is a good thing – there’ll be more shoots per seedling and so a bushier mistletoe plant… […]

Frampton Village Hall – and the WI AGM… setting for my first mistletoe presentation of the season. No great excitement – all went according to plan, talk seemed to go down well, and covered usual miscellany of mistletoe trivia. But it was knackering to put together – finding (and blowing the dust off) all the right slides, and checking all the usual exhibits, and adding some new ones acquired (via ebay, natch) over the year. […]

29th October 2004 Back in Dorset, revisiting some of the mistletoe sites from last year (see 2003 blog at www.mistletoe.org.uk). This time we’re in the Wimborne Minster area again, where there are several large parks that are known to, or thought to, have historic mistletoe populations. This is outside main UK mistletoe territory and these colonies were probably introduced by wealthy landowners in the 18th and 19th centuries, particularly on lime in lime avenues – […]

Methinks a pic would be better from the far end, where I know, from our earlier recce, there is an iron gate to rest the camera on. So onto more slow processions along the sides of the avenue, with interesting views of limes by night – with their distinctive basal suckering clearly shown. Eventually reach our goal at the far end. But the gate is plastered with small kiddies, all imploring the fairies to come […]

Welcome!!! This blog will describe ‘adventures with mistletoe’ in the run-up to Christmas 2004. The blog is by Jonathan Briggs, a mistletoe enthusiast, who will be undertaking several mistletoe, er, events during November and December. For background info see his website at www.mistletoe.org.uk. This 2004 blog is a follow-up to to Jonathan’s trial mistletoe 2003 blog – which is available from the website – go to www.mistletoe.org.uk and click on weblog. More to follow v […]