What is the primary management strategy for leafy mistletoe?

The primary management strategy for leafy mistletoe focuses on the use of resistant trees and mechanical control methods. Leafy mistletoe is a parasitic plant that can significantly affect the host trees by extracting water and nutrients, leading to reduced tree health and vigor. Planting or maintaining tree varieties that are resistant to mistletoe infestation helps to mitigate the problem, as these trees are less likely to suffer damage from the parasite.

In addition, mechanical control methods involve physically removing mistletoe-infested branches from host trees. This approach can help to limit the spread of the parasite and prevent it from establishing on healthy parts of the tree or on neighboring trees. While other methods such as chemical application, fertilization, or soil amendments can be useful in various contexts, they do not specifically address the unique challenges posed by leafy mistletoe as effectively as the combined strategy of using resistant trees and mechanical removal.