The Mistletoe Blog 2004

Blog migration

2010-08-26T22:32:00.001+01:00

A new consolidated mistletoe blog, with all the versions going back to 2004 (there was some in 2003 too, but that's in the wrong format) are being combined for 2010 onwards at;

http://mistletoematters.wordpress.com/

All updates for 2010/11 winter season will be there...

2008/09 mistletoe season update

2008-09-11T21:17:00.001+01:00

Hi,

If you've dropped by looking for news about mistletoe for the 2008/09 mistletoe season you're in the wrong place.

I'm using the typepad site again this season (don't know why - I have to pay them and Blogger is free, so maybe I'll return here soon). But for now point your browser thisaway for mistletoe news...

News September 2005:

2005-09-11T13:29:00.000+01:00

News September 2005:
The new 2005 Mistletoe Diary is now available - click here

Boxing Day Ramble - ancient trees and a bit of mistletoe 1

2004-12-27T10:42:00.000Z

A beautiful sunny day, so Caroline and I set off for the Haresfield topograph (next hill along from Haresfield Beacon). We take the 'low road' across the fields to start with, planning to return via the 'high road' through Standish Woods.

This gives a rare opportunity to view (and photograph) the splendid old specimen oaks of Standish Park Estate in low winter sun. There are lots of these ancient stag-headed trees, mostly in field centres rather than margins, which gives away their origins as parkland rather than boundary trees. Standish House is now part of Standish Hospital - and has been for decades and the parkland is now enclosed, but these trees hint of past glories. The status of the hospital, just vacated by the NHS (see blog for 2003) is unclear, though we understand it will stay in health use (and there are a few peacocks left, despite fears outlined in last year's blog).

We are concerned about the trees though - as most are in severe decline and some are now falling. I know nothing about the Estate's management regime, but must assume they are sympathetic to these trees simply because they are still there! Perhaps the estate are following best practice guidelines for ancient trees, and recognising their landscape, historical and nature conservation (lots of rare wood-boring insects) value. Or perhaps they just like them.

Standish Park trees - just two examples

Boxing Day Ramble - ancient trees and a bit of mistletoe 2

2004-12-27T10:40:00.000Z

The fields are wet and muddy, as is the lower part of the ascent - one step forward and half a step back through the steep sheep pasture. But I speed up as I can see a group of hawthorns with Mistletoe just on the edge of the enclosed area. This low winter light is wonderful for mistletoe and I want to get there before the sun drops too much.

This is a typical small mistletoe colony at the edge of its normal tolerance - above this (modest) height it won't grow here, on the exposed Cotswold Escarpment. There are about 6 decent-sized plants in the hawthorns, plus a few tiny ones. But in hawthorn even decent-size is small compared to apple, poplar or willow. A good mix of male and female too - the male obvious because of the lack of berries but also because of the slightly larger flowers, just opening out now.

Mistletoe below Haresfield topograph - context, male plant, female plant and another female against the sky...

Boxing Day Ramble - ancient trees and a bit of mistletoe 3

2004-12-27T10:37:00.000Z

I take a few pictures into the sun, against the sky and with the sun on the berries and then it's off to the topograph, where we find the world and his wife, plus dogs, children etc, 'cos if you're lazy you can simply drive to here. We pause briefly but there're too many people here - so we walk on rapidly, through the woods and back down through the hospital at dusk

Haresfield topograph 26th December - a view northwest (out of the sun) and southwest (into the sun). Note the (very) distant Severn bridges (both of them) on the extreme right. The foreground steam is from Stonehouse creamery - a distinctive but unattractive landmark

kiss me kwik hat

2004-12-26T10:49:00.000Z

Spent Christmas Day (and much of Boxing Day) wearing a Kiss Me hat with plastic mistletoe dangling over it. I thought it was rather fetching, and it did keep my head warm, but not everyone was so keen. I'll post a picture when Mary (my sister) has emailed one to me...

A Mistletoe Mixture

2004-12-24T21:40:00.000Z

Christmas Eve at last - and I can be sure that after tonight mistletoe queries will reduce dramatically - not that I don't welcome them, but it's always a relief to have a break after a mistletoe-filled November and December. It's not just me, Caroline agrees with this as well (probably more so).

The mistletoe madness starts today at 0730 hours, with the postman delivering a large box. Still in bed, and with the house-alarm set, I'm not entirely a respectable figure dashing to the door, but I s'pose nothing shocks a postie. The package is the Lachenal china (see previous blogs) and I'm keen to unwrap it - it's just like Christmas! After lots of polystyrene and bubble-wrap I finally get my prizes, and cracked and chipped as they are I'm v pleased to have them.

Back to bed and next jolt is at 0750 - my mother rings to ask had I been watching? Er, no. I'd apparently just been on BBC TV Breakfast News talking about the bugs that live on mistletoe, but I'd missed it. No matter, I knew what I'd said - I was there when it was recorded... But good to know it was on - there was a possibility it was just going to be on News 24 and so inaccessible to most people I know (including us here - no digital TV coverage for Stonehouse - we should get a reduction in licence fee...).

And then the Royal Mail at the door again! This time with a mistletoe print from 'The Graphic', an illustrated London paper. This is a famous picture from the December 1876 edition, all the way from Canada, courtesy of Ebay. Pleased to have it, slightly saddened it's yet more evidence these old papers are simply being cut up and sold as individual sheets, but I bought it so mustn't grumble. Though I spent some time perusing a print stall at an antiques fair in Moreton-in-Marsh yesterday, and whilst tempted by the prints displayed did get put off by the idea they were effectively dismembered books.

And then they call AGAIN! A third postie and third van - not v efficient (?) but it is Christmas and I recall from my stints as a temp postman (c 1980, 81 and 82) that it is pretty busy down the sorting office. This time it's yet another Ebay win - I won't go into details but its a pack of mistletoe-branded er, romantic stuff, from Tennessee. Mistletoe stuff from Canada, France and Nashville, all within an hour, not bad.

Just time to relax a bit before a scheduled call from BBC Radio Glos at 0830. About mistletoe of course, and the current media pre-occupation with the bumper ('record' if you believe the media) harvest this year. But no prob and happy to help.

And now no mistletoe for ages (and can nip down the Co-op to get breakfast) - well, until 1015, when I do a scheduled call to Radio Essex. this one is more interesting, as they have a local wholesaler on the line who's recently been over to France to harvest material, and Matt Shardlow from Buglife talking about the invertebrate life of mistletoe. So Matt and i do a sort of reprise on the BBC TV piece from earlier, and the wholesaler chap (Bill) talks about what makes good saleable mistletoe.

The Buglife link is interesting - their Christmas newsletter covers the mistletoe inverts in some detail - will see if I can upload a copy to the blog - and/or provide a link...

And then no more mistletoe all day... Apart from hanging some up - it is Christmas after all...

When the red red robin goes blog, blog, bloggin' along…

2004-12-21T22:12:00.000Z

Hey hey! Am in the Guardian again already! Well, almost; the blog has a link from the Guardian blog site (if it's gone from there already try the blog archive). And the blog has been blogged about on Jane Perrone's horticultural blog . I'm beginning to feel a part of the blogging community - but am also slightly embarrassed as my main site is looking tired and out-of-date and all these new visitors might notice. Must do more housekeeping more often… The trouble with websites is that simply updating isn't enough - there is always a desire to redesign or upgrade (must keep up with the virtual joneses) and that provides an excuse (for me at least) to delay updating until the redesign. I'll shut up now and think about doing some website housekeeping…

But before I do, I've just found out that BBC Radio 4 You and Yours programme covered the Tenbury Mistletoe Market today - and also a piece on a French importer at New Covent Garden Market in London. I contribute a bit (natch) too. To listen point your browser at the beeb and follow the links through to Radio 4 and You and Yours or go direct to the You and Yours page. If visiting today you'll find it on the 'listen again' link - if later try the last 7 days link and pick Tuesday (not sure when they update this - might be whole weeks in which case 'Tuesday' might be last week until this weekend - if you see what I mean). The mistletoe item is from about 9.30 minutes through to 17.30 minutes.

Am tempted to comment on that poll about Tony Blair being voted the least likely to be kissed under the mistletoe, but won't, as I need to go and write my Christmas Cards (and yes I always leave it this late - it isn't Christmas yet and cards sent weeks beforehand seem to be missing the point...)

Art Nouveau, mistletoe and Ebay

2004-12-20T06:40:00.000Z

Yesterday I made another attempt to acquire some decent mistletoe art nouveau material. This is a common occurrence for me, and usually ends in failure, though I have had minor successes. Yesterday's episode (between returning from the druids and going to church) was typical. I bid for some Lachenal crockery that was up for auction on Ebay. Now 'crockery' is a bit rude, but that was effectively what it was advertised as being - as the Lachenal name was not mentioned in the descriptions. As all ebayers know, the way to sell is to include key words somewhere in the description, preferably in the title - and these lots had missed it out. And no one had bid at all - and just 15 minutes to go.

Perhaps I should put all this in context a little - mistletoe, especially in France and Germany, was widely used in Art Nouveau imagery and patterns, and there are many high quality mistletoe examples - ranging from cutlery and tableware, through pressed glassware bowls and chandeliers, not to mention all the jewellery, cigar boxes, vesta boxes and pens, sewing kits etc. For some examples go to my main website and click through to the Art Nouveau page (start with mistletoe in art).

Now this stuff is highly collectable, and some is extremely valuable - particularly the Lalique and Daum bowls and vases. You can always find examples in auction catalogues, and of course on Ebay. Don't just search on mistletoe - include Mistel (German) and Gui (French) - but beware 'Gui' will give you lots of other stuff too - so be prepared to search through a lot of returns or learn how to construct your search selectively.

I keep a watching-brief on all this stuff online, and now and then try buying - if it seems cheap (I don't even try for early Lalique - prices start in the £1000s). The Lachenal dinner service is a famous example of the genre, made especially appealing by having a differing mistletoe pattern on each plate/dish. They were a service made for readers of the Annales Politiques in 1896 An incomplete service was sold online recently for several hundred pounds - but the examples from yesterday were just 6 individual items, each listed separately by a seller in France. Without quoting the Lachenal name there was just a chance the usual collectors hadn't noticed the sale.

Lachenal Plates - four - with three designs

There were 4 perfect dinner plates, matching, but as is typical of this service, of differing designs (see pic - click to enlarge), plus a chipped serving platter and a discoloured lidded serving dish. With no bids they were all going for about £6 each (a bit more for the platter). A perfect opp I thought to acquire a fragment of this wonderful mistletoe service - so I bid for them all at 15 mins to go, and at 10 mins to go was looking to win all. But Ebayers like to keep a close eye on their desires, and I was pipped to the post in those few minutes by 2 others on the plates, leaving me with er, the chipped platter and the discoloured serving dish. I obviously wasn't the only one keeping watch. A pity - the plates would have looked so good in the china cabinet… maybe next time. And I am pleased with the wins - which being already damaged can accompany me on mistletoe talks (I always take a boxful of mistletoe exhibits) without worrying too much about further damage. So that's alright then... A picture of the winnings will be posted below....

The chipped Art Nouveau winnings...

2004-12-20T06:39:00.000Z

These are the items I won - the Lachenal platter and saucebowl

And, I've just heard from the seller that she's adding a third, unadvertised, matching plate to my package. So thank you Marie-Claude!

After the Druids, the Christians…

2004-12-19T22:25:00.000Z

Later activities today contrasted strongly with the druid weekend. The first was seasonal mistletoe harvesting from an apple tree in my mother's garden at Painswick. We decided to prune quite a lot off, as this tree is becoming overgrown with mistletoe, and needs some respite. So a lot of gifts for the neighbours. And all of this was just cut with secateurs and allowed to fall on the ground. After yesterday's activity this almost seemed criminal.

And then off to Painswick Church for the Carol Service - a traditional service of lessons and carols. Which, whilst a contrast to the druid ceremonies, was also very eerily similar in many respects; including the prayers and ritual repetition but also the informal procession from the carpark by night to the church, and the formal procession of the choir down the aisle, in pairs and headed by a banner/staff. All very mysterious… and a bit unsettling. No mistletoe of course - the Church of England bans it (apart from at York Minster, but that's another story…).

Return to the Druids (Rite - day 2)

2004-12-19T22:11:00.000Z

Sunday am, back in the Forest. This morning the main task was to distribute the mistletoe amongst the groups present, and discuss the way forward. Again I'll give no details here - suffice to say that the mistletoe, still suspended from the ground was divided up, including some to me. And there was much discussion over destinations, sacred places and possible seeding in sacred groves. More on that as and when it happens next spring - if I'm invited to assist. Most of those present were journeying to the Gorsedd at Stonehenge in the afternoon - and some material was selected for that ceremony too.

As part of the discussion I was invited to give a presentation - based on one of my mistletoe talks. This was well-received, especially the bits about the anthroposophic mistletoe philosophy and herbal and medical uses and the bits about mistletoe distribution and grow-your-own (for a booklet on growing your own go to Nick Wheeldon's website). A good interactive presentation.

But then it was time for farewells - and lots of promises to keep in touch. In case you're wondering who the druids are, I can tell you that this group were from all walks of life and a wide age-range, with a majority probably in the 30 and 40 something range. For more info on druids check out the Druid Network site, and if you're really keen have a think about the Albion Conclave's distance-learning course. Or try out the druid advice for an ethical Christmas. For myself I'm happy just to stay in touch and help with the mistletoe initiatives when and where I can.

But what, in the meantime, do I do with my share of the sacred mistletoe? I don't want to just hang it up and burn it next year - I do that with 'ordinary' mistletoe already. And I haven't got a sacred grove to plant the berries in. Or have I? My understanding is that these sacred groves can be anywhere you hold to be special - and I can think of several of those. Or I could simply 'create' one of my own - we're due to plant more shrubs and trees in the garden soon - would that suffice? I'll have a think about it, and might ask for advice. For now I'll keep the plant in the cold to conserve the berries until planting time in February. And, of course, suspended so it can't touch the ground. In practice this means dangling from the garage ceiling, which, though not particularly deferential, should (I hope) be sufficient.

For more info on the Druids' Mistletoe Foundation click here

The Mistletoe Rite - Day 1

2004-12-18T22:27:00.000Z

I feel humbled. The weirdometer went off the scale today, and when I mentioned this later to one of those involved they replied that this was 'merely' a community exercise (so perhaps I should recalibrate the weirdometer). 'This' was the druid mistletoe rite, which I was privileged (and I mean that very sincerely indeed) to attend this evening.

I don't know where to start really, and I don't even have any photos to show you (it would have been very disrespectful to take them). The meeting was an inaugral meeting of the Mistletoe Foundation, a druid initiative seeking to rediscover the mistletoe rite and new approaches, not least propagating as well as harvesting the plant. A new sustainable approach. (for more info go to http://www.druidnetwork.org/mistletoe/index.html)

The location, at a bunk barn on a farm co-operative (http://www.ragmans.co.uk) in the Forest of Dean was masterful - lots of mistletoe about, and the right facilities. The event, attended by druids from all over the country, and from varying sects, was momentous. I attended as an outsider and, as far as I could tell, I was the only non-initiate present.

The programme included preparation for the rite, the rite itself (scheduled for 6pm) and tomorrow, discussion of how to take the initiative forward (more on that tomorrow). Today's event started at midday, with preparation of ivy head-dresses etc, but the real action began at 1.30, when we gathered to discuss how to approach the rite. I won't go into detail - it would take too long, and is druid, not public, business. But this involved lengthy discussion of how the rite should be approached, what form it should take, how it should relate to Pliny the Elder's account of the rite (which included the sacrifice of 2 white bulls - not an option to the neo-druid) and who should do what and when. There was debate, and difference of opinion - not surprising when you realise that the day was attended by druids from varying groups and beliefs. But a programme was agreed, reviewed, and agreed again.

We started at 5.30. I say we, but I inevitably felt myself to be an outsider, unfamiliar with accepted otherwise accepted process such as calling the ancestors, calling the quarters (spirits of the N, S, E and W) etc. But everyone was so friendly, and personal beliefs seemed (and are) secondary to the spirit of the whole, of the 'tribe'. A mistletoe-bearing tree (an ancient pollarded lime) had already been selected, just a few minutes walk away, a sickle had been forged especially, with the smith present, and a cloth to catch the mistletoe (it must not touch the ground) had been especially woven.

The weather was not good. Tonight was the 6th of the new moon, the night Pliny suggested the Druids enacted this rite. But unlike yesterday the moon was shrouded, and we began under drizzle and ended in light rain. But the determination to succeed was strong - beginning with the ritual burning of dry mistletoe from last year in an open-air fire - to rid each of their banes - and we all took turns. This burning of last year's mistletoe, kept indoors since last winter, is a strong local custom, and not confined to the druids.

From here we processed, in twos, to the pond, with a ritual gift thrown into the waters. And finally, in the dark and wet, over the slippery ground, which most traversed in their robes, to the mistletoe tree. Again I won't go into detail, as this is not my business to recount. The sickle was produced, in ceremony, and the appointed tree-climber was approached and climbed the tree - in the dark, in the rain, and dressed in robes (he did have a head torch). It was an awe-inspiring sequence - would he make it up the tree, would he reach the mistletoe, would he cut enough, and, critically, would it fall into the outstretched cloth below. Lastly, would he make it down again safely? The answer, to all the above, is Yes. The communal sense of relief was almost physical, and the procession back to the fire was jubilant. We had closure, and relaxation until tomorrow... I had to go, but agreed to return in the morning for the next session - on what to do with the harvested material, and how to progress the Mistletoe Foundation.

More tomorrow... In the meantime take inspiration from this picture of the druidic mistletoe rite, a reproduction of Henri Paul Motte's famous (c 1890) painting (click to enlarge)

Druids cutting the Mistletoe. Henri Paul Motte, 1890.

more markets, less toxicity

2004-12-17T21:07:00.000Z

Well, the BBC Gardener's World with the Tenbury Mistletoe Auction was just on the telly, and I missed most of it. But saw enough to see Monty Don discussing the wholesaler's prefernces for English mistletoe - rather than the travel-weary French stuff. And to confirm that as I feared the already-dated footage (filmed last year) meant that the threatened closure of the Auction site wasn't mentioned - indeed MD stood there and exclaimed about what a wonderful ongoing tradition it was. But perhaps it isn't Monty... see blogs passim.

Talking of mistletoe sales I had a quick look at the Gloucester Farmers Market today where many stalls were decorated with mistletoe and at least 2 were actively selling large quantities - at £1 a bunch - a substantial mark-up on the Tenbury wholesale price - but that's fair enough, this was retail. Actually I was more interested in the Gooseberry Wine and the organic beef - one can sometimes have a bit too much mistletoe...

A colleague remarked today on my letter in the Guardian, and I had to admit I wasn't aware it was in. It was in yesterday, apparently, which was nice. I'd forgotten about it (it's been a long week) as I'd written it in a rush (never a good plan for a newspaper letter - unless it's for the Trumpton Gazette or similar local rag) and assumed it had gone to the bin. It was, of course, on mistletoe, and was a resposne to that TUC/RoSPA mistletoe advice from last week (see previous blogs). Only two points; one advocating sensible kissing by removing a berry each time, and the other covering the toxicity thing (see previous etc). Reproduced in full below.

But I have to report yet more (yawn) on the toxicity front. I've had an email from anonymous "NCI Cancer.gov Staff" in the States responding to one from me that (constructively) criticised their failure to differentiate mistletoe species in their review of mistletoe extracts in cancer therapy. They point out that, actually, in fact, and undoubtedly, American mistletoe MAY NOT BE TOXIC. Now, regular readers will know that I have been suggesting that rumours of European mistletoe (Viscum) being toxic are false, and based on the fact that American mistletoe (Phoradendron) is toxic. But it seems this may not be the case either. They support their case with some references to papers that describe actual experience - I give you just one for info - click on this http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=8699554.

So, perhaps it's not just cancer.gov staff that 'could do better' (my line from a previous blog) but me as well. I was so pre-occupied proving a lack of toxicity in European mistletoe I failed to properly check on the American mistletoe studies. It all makes those stories (see previous blogs) about scares in the US in the 1970s even more mysterious... And might mean my Grauniad letter is misleading? Anyway I reckon the jury's still out on the American species - you'll note that link above does refer to one fatality... And cancer.gov could still do better - they quote one of the Phoradendron toxicity reviews in their review of possible adverse effects of Viscum - without apparently noticing...

But enough toxic (or non-toxic, whatever) ranting. Now is the time to go and study the moon - for tonight we have a clear sky, with the crescent moon shining. Will it be this good tomorrow night - when the druids have their mistletoe ceremony? Wait and see...

Guardian letter 16th Dec

Riverside mistletoe is more natural

2004-12-14T22:29:00.000Z

A morning spent on the floodplain of the River Salwarpe, just upstream of its confluence with the Severn. Not to look at mistletoe, but to discuss reedbed creation. The areas we were looking at are between the Salwarpe and the Droitwich Canal, and as part of the canal restoration project we are planning to create new reedbeds on land next to the canal to compensate for those currently in the old canal channel.

We started off just upstream of Hawford Mill, a site familiar to me since my late teens, when I helped research the history of the Salwarpe mills. I say 'familiar' but in truth, other than the name, the actual site doesn't ring any bells at all. But that was about 20 (ok 25) years ago - am I getting old?

Anyway, the first site, just below some fishing lakes is rather wonderful old pastureland, full of teasels and thistles. Whilst these are a little past their best at this time of year (except to goldfinches) the accompanying riverside scrub is more seasonally interesting, as it supports lots of Mistletoe! The scrub here, and on the ramp up to the old canal bridge, is predominantly hawthorn, and there are numerous small mistletoe growths. These are typical of hawthorn, where it seldom grows large. But each growth is a magnet to a mistletoe enthusiast and I insist on visiting each one, just to look at it, much to the amusement of my companions - Trevor the Fishing Lakes proprietor, James the Canals Restoration Project Manager, and Tim the Property man from the District Council. They're even more amused when I take a call on the mobile from BBC Radio Guernsey about an interview on the morning programme for tomorrow. About mistletoe of course. Does it pay, asks Trevor? Er, no, I reply. Don't give up the day job is his advice...

Later on James and I visit more fields downstream of the mill, and the roar of the A449 dual carriageway. These are 'orrible improved grassland, no teasels here. But there is still mistletoe on the canal and river margins, largely on mature willow this time, with much bigger balls of growth. We're right on the Severn confluence here, and it is an interesting demo of how mistletoe grows 'in the wild' . One of the great mysteries of mistletoe distribution in Britain is what would be the pattern if man hadn't cleared the woods and created fields, parks, orchards and gardens? For these are its preferred habitat - trees in open, well-lit, unshaded locations. And these would be rare in the primeval forest that should cover the UK. River margins may be one of the rare examples of a natural mistletoe habitat - the thorns and willows on their banks would be at the edge of the woodland canopy, and provide the openness mistletoe needs - as well as being preferred hosts. So these mistletoes may be truly 'natural' unlike those of orchards and gardens etc. Now I may be a 'mistletoe anorak' (as I was described by last weekend's Telegraph) but I find that fascinating, which is why I'm drawn to each growth.

mistletoe miscellany

2004-12-12T20:01:00.000Z

A mixed mistletoe day today. Everything from checking obscure refs about turn of the century mistletoe-harvesting pics (don't ask, unless you are really, really interested...) to modern-day druidic mistletoe events... And a bit more on that mistletoe toxicity stuff from yesterday, or was it the day before?

I won't go into the picture refs, as it would take an age to explain. But am keen to say more on the Druid event - but that isn't scheduled until next weekened - so watch this space! It's the official launch of the 'Mistletoe Foundation', founded by the Albion Conclave and the Druid Network (no I don't who they are yet either). It will be the 6th day of the new moon, apparently an important time in Druid philosophy and linked to the mistletoe harvesting rite. All very mysterious - I shall report when I've found out more.

On the mistletoe toxicity front I've dusted down my notes on mistletoe medicines, particularly the anthroposophic ones (not that there are many others...) and find that nothing I said on Friday is contradicted. The anthroposophic stuff is all very mysterious (did I say that already?) and I'm hoping for a lot of enlightenment during 2005 via an Open University course I signed up to some weeks ago. It's on 'perspectives in complementary and alternative medicine' but doesn't start until Feb, so watch this space again. And I haven't bought the set book yet either, so can't report on that at all. I just hope I pay attention this time - on previous OU courses I've either done very well, or not done at all (ie 'failed to submit'). It's a time management thing.

So, not many hard facts to report today - all stuff for the future. There is one piece of news which has pleased me no end - the mistletoe seedling on the apple in the garden (see blog and picture from Nov 7th) has now straightened its new leaves, and looks much more impressive. I had been worried it was unwell, but am reassured. Will add a new photo soon...

Daily Telegraph article 11th December

2004-12-11T21:19:00.000Z

Some further fallout from the RoSPA advice today, but nothing worth repeating. But there is a good mistletoe feature in the daily Telegraph Weekend supplement (see pic below) - covering that last auction (ever?), and featuring Stan Yapp (pictured), and a quote from me.

Er, that's it for today.

Daily Telegraph article 11th December

Mistletoe, toxicity, and Office Parties....

2004-12-10T20:39:00.000Z

Mistletoe is in all the headlines! But for all the wrong reasons. RoSPA and the TUC have issued killjoy guidance for employers on office parties, and inter alia have suggested mistletoe should be banned in case it leads to sexual harassment charges! I think this is little OTT - and so do the nation's media. The guidance certainly gets coverage, but it's mostly poking fun at RoSPA and the TUC rather than suggesting following their guidance.

Am not sure whether this is deliberate or a cock-up on RoSPA/TUC's part. I suspect the latter. For my part I'm interviewed briefly for Independent Radio News and point out that 'sensible' guidance would surely be along the following lines: Insist on following the tradition of a berry being removed for each kiss - this would ensure a more strategic approach to kisses - as these would be rationed and not the free-for-all RoSPA/TUC seem to envisage. It would also ensure all kissing would be long over before people got drunk - as there would be no berries left. Easy! And could please everyone!

Am slightly annoyed that RoSPA/TUC also include a line in their guide about mistletoe berries being poisonous - a common perception, but actually this unpleasant property belongs to the American mistletoe - not the species we use. Ours is slightly poisonous - but effects are mild, and our plant is widely used to make tea, especially in Germany.

I decide to investigate a little further, just to check my facts, and confirm that yes, Viscum album is not considered poisonous, (though it can produce nausea, so don't try it!) by those in the know (which don't include RoSPA and the TUC), and yes there is a lot of confusion out there! A lot of sources over here think that mistletoe, or its berries are poisonous, but on checking their information usually seems to lead back to the American not the European species. There is no perception that there is more than one species...

In the States the toxicity of their native mistletoe (Phoradendron species) is well-known, and berries (not leaves) on their decorations are often replaced by plastic. The berries are considered more toxic - but in reality it may be simply that it is only the berries that are likely to be ingested by children and pets - not the leaves.

Internet searches show that the Americans are, and always have been, also confused by the 2 Christmas mistletoe species. The current, and 'expert' US cancer.gov website has a summary of mistletoe extract information - but fails to differentiate between the differing species' properties, giving the reader the impression that whilst mistletoe is deadly toxic it is also used in medicine. Not so - the toxic species isn't the one used in medicine. This seems dangerous to me, as readers might get the impression that an extract of the American mistletoe could be used in medicine... Not a good idea (and a 'could do better' for the cancer.gov site compilers)

Further back in time I find that the US Agricuture Department was actually advocating use of mistletoe tea back in 1977 (AP 22nd Jan 1977). It's not clear whether they meant native or European mistletoe, or whther they knew the difference, but it led to a lot of debate... Within 24 hours (AP 23rd Jan) the Poison Control Centre in New York was contradicting them and advising people NOT to drink mistletoe tea as American mistletoe is toxic. But still no mention of what species the Agriculture guys were talking about - only that they were talking about 'commercial' mistletoe tea. By the 24th the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had also weighed in against drinking the tea. But which species...???

There is no answer from the AP archive, but perhaps a key clue from the Wall Street Journal 2 years later. This reported (Dec 13th 1979) that the FDA had seized 168 boxes of imported mistletoe tea as it 'could be poisonous'. No details are given, but I think the keyword there is 'imported'. It was probably harmless European mistletoe tea..., and perhaps that what was being promoted all along...

Rothamsted

2004-12-09T23:12:00.000Z

Off to Rothamsted Research station this evening - to speak to local branch of the Institute of Biology on, er, mistletoe. I cut it fine as the journey along M25 and M1 was at crawling speed - what is it with our road system? - this was at 6.30 in the evening! And obviously so common a phenomenon it didn't even make it to the local radio traffic reports.

But I got there, just in time, and had a good evening with a small, but I think appreciative, audience.

Whole evening slightly overshadowed, for me, over that journey time. Particularly annoying as I had been due at a meeting in London and so could have been there much earlier - except that that meeting had been cancelled (a dayjob problem - all to do with the SWRDA... who seem slightly incompetent - but don't quote me on that as we need their money...). But if I had gone to the earlier meeting I'd have got to Rothamsted on time, and maybe even managed to nip out to Kew to look at Masaya's mistletoe seedlings in the afternoon... Ok I'll stop moaning now.

6th December Part 1

2004-12-06T19:01:00.000Z

Another mistletoeful day. Off to Tenbury Wells to meet up with Stanley Yapp, the well-known mistletoe-grower and harvester. We're due to take part in a BBC TV interview, firstly in his orchards and later at the market, where mistletoe should be arriving for tomorrow's auction.

I drive up early and call at the market first. Nick Champion is already inspecting the lots, and the place look full, despite the early hour. Not so much material as last week, but Nick isn't expecting much more. I check he's still ok for the BBC crew to visit later and then drive up to Stan's place.

I'd not been to Stan's before, and am impressed by the solitude - a gated road, and a tiny house. Plus lots of apple trees, mistletoe, sheep, and one bull. Stan and I chat about mistletoe matters, and I become aware we have an unspoken 'rivalry' for mistletoe media stories. I reckon Stan wins, especally with his supplying the Chinese Government once. I've got a few choice stories up my sleeeve, but these are embargoed for now - more next Christmas if these come off...

A few false starts as the others struggle to find the place but eventually we're all assembled - Sarah Mukherjee (BBC Environment Correspondent), cameraman (Larry?), Alec Wall (local rep from the new Mistletoe Festival group), Matt Shardlow (entomologist from the Conservation group Buglife) plus me and Stan.

Stan Yapp being filmed (click to enlarge)

6th December Part 2

2004-12-06T19:00:00.000Z

First stop the orchard, where Stan does his stuff, traditional harvesting with a ladder, hooked pole etc (see pics). Then it's the turn of the biologists - Matt and I talk about mistletoe biodiversity, and especially the half-dozen insects that are obligate mistletoe feeders.

Stan up his ladder with mistletoe pole

6th December Part 3

2004-12-06T18:59:00.000Z

Stan using the pole to pull down mistletoe (click to enalrge)

6th December Part 4

2004-12-06T18:57:00.000Z

Then it's off to Tenbury, and lunch, before visiting the market. This is much as I saw it this morning - not much new material, though some is still arriving, on the back of a variety of unlikely vehicles (including a 1974 Austin 1100 Vanden Plas - you don't see many of those around these days).

Some filming at the market, which already has an air of sadness over it - as this could be the last one ever. Matt spends his time examining the lots for mistletoe insects - which slightly alarms some of the sellers as he picks the mistletoe up and shakes it vigorously. No harm done, only lose a few berries, and he is rewarded with one of the bugs, albeit dead already. See pics below.

Matt shaking insects out of a mistletoe lot

6th December Part 5

2004-12-06T18:52:00.000Z

Matt examining the (limited) catch (click to enlarge)

Musical Mistletoe

2004-12-05T14:10:00.000Z

Trying out my new 'Musical Mistletoe' today. Bought on Ebay, where it's being sold by various sellers - some describing it as wonderful, others warning you only to buy it for your worst enemy.

Having tried it, I concur with the worst enemy camp - it is truly awful, and probably the worst taste mistletoe items I've ever seen (and that's saying something...) . Basically it's a bunch of plastic mistletoe (modelled on the American species as usual - but that's another story), that is strung with small red LEDs, a movement sensor and 3 awfully tinny Christmas tunes. Actually Christmas out-of-tunes would be more accurate as the noise is incredible, and there doesn't seem to be a volume control...

The box says it would be good for parties - and maybe it would, but I think we'll leave it switched off in the house. The product is a British invention - which hit the headlines a couple of years back but it seems to have never caught on - I wonder why?....

Musical mistletoe - box and product... beware!

In the Daily Mail after all

2004-12-04T14:11:00.000Z

Saturday - and another look at the Daily Mail Weekend supplement for Monty Don's mistletoe article. And it's in this week - complete with a picture of genuine English mistletoe (taken by yours truly in me mum's garden a fortnight ago - but I won't give up the dayjob for a photography career just yet...).

Was it worth the wait? Well, sort of, it's a good balanced piece talking about mistletoe in the British context, but I had hoped MD might say a bit more about his Herefordshire links. And goodness knows where he got his info on how mistletoe grows - according to the article its 'roots' grow 'into' the heartwood, eventually surrounding it and killing the branch. Not so, not so at all, mistletoe doesn't have roots per se, and certainly doesn't grow into the hostwood - it stimulates the hostwood to grow around it, not vice versa. And it doesn't surround and kill the branch either. It's really all to do with a specialist woody and cambial tissue organ called a haustorium - but maybe that's too much for the Saturday Mail - but methinks MD should know better... I'll ask him sometime!

Daily Mail article with mistletoe... click to enlarge

Mistletoe trade stats in the Times

2004-12-01T14:43:00.000Z

Today's Times has a report on yesterday's holly and msitletoe sales at Tenbury - majoring on the glut of berries and material for both plants and how this is pushing down prices.

This is a curious tradition of the Times - prices and tonnage for msitletoe are a regular feature - and similar stats can be found in editions dating right back to the 19th century - though mostly relating to the import trade. I'm not really quite sure why this is so newsworthy - how many people (apart from me) are really interested in the fact that 30 tonnes were on sale yesterday in 1250 lots?

Some historic examples that come to hand:
The Dec 3rd 1949 Times reported that the French vessel St Effiam arrived with 2283 cartes of mistletoe - though tonnage is not quoted. The Dec 14th 1934 edition tells us that two boatloads of mistletoe, 'representing 130 tons' were landed from France. Dec 7th 1921 reports that mistletoe 'will only be available in small quantities'. And on Dec 20th 1915, despite the war, France was reportedly sending us mistletoe at high prices because of an organised campaign against it in French Orchards.

Mistletoe Market Miscellany

2004-11-30T22:25:00.000Z

Definitely an action-packed mistletoe day today. (See pics posted below) Off to the Tenbury Wells Market, penultimate one of the season - and possibly ever. Interviews with BBC R4, news about the market's future, general chat with buyers, meeting with Masaya (see yesterday) who's driven over from Kew, and an unexpected meeting with Nick Wheeldon, mistletoe-propagator. Plus news about the new Tenbury Wells English Mistletoe and Holly Festival - launched by the Town Council. And news of a BBC TV News interest in the market etc.

Far too much for a quick blogging session. But here goes anyway (in summary - could write loads today):

Yes this was the penultimate mistletoe and holly auction - but the site has not been bought by a supermarket after all - it will be owned by William Chase, of Tyrrells Crisps - and that's an entirely different situation. More on this in later blogs - but there could, just could, be some continuation on the site.

Nick Champion, the auctioneer, is determined that whilst this could be the end for the site - the auction will survive - even if it has to be in a field next year, he says. So there.

BBC R4 are there by arrangement - more details on what for and broadcast schedule later - but an interesting variety of interviews with Nick the auctioneer, several buyers, Nick the propagator, me, etc. Including an interlude in a mistletoe-rich orchard a few miles away on the Teme (selected by me earlier).

It's Masaya's first visit - and the sheer quantity of mistletoe must be a huge contrast to his seedlings at Kew - we discuss these, and the mysterious other mistletoe he has discovered there (see yesterday's blog) - more on that soon...

Nick Wheeldon, the mistletoe grower of Lincolnshire, and author of Grow Your Own Mistletoe (available from www.mistle.co.uk) is here to buy some berried stock for his berry business. It's the first time we've met (though we've emailed) and it's good to meet at last - two mistletoe enthusiasts together - a rare event (three if you count Masaya - but I've lost him in the crowd and we don't ever meet as a threesome).

Am surprised, and delighted, to be approached by a group (including one wearing mayoral chains) sporting mistletoe buttonholes and handing out a card announcing the launch of the Tenbury Wells English Mistletoe and Holly Festival. This is a local council initiative - the market is under threat, and the town is responding. This is part of their heritage - and they are THE centre for mistletoe. The Festival is a new idea, aiming to keep the market here in Tenbury, and to emphasise the town's importance for mistletoe. I compare them to Goldthwaite, Texas - which claims to be the Mistletoe Capital of the USA and suggest they should claim similar for the UK. At present they are limited to crowning a 'Mistletoe Queen' - and seeking publicity for their cause, but I reckon they're just in time, and will need to do a lot more for next season. More to follow on this....

Meanwhile, a BBC TV News story is simmering - more on this next week. But media today should be enough to be going on with - as well as Radio 4 there are photographers from the Telegraph and the Times - so watch out for their coverage soon - probably the weekend issues. And a reminder that BBC Gardeners World are due to cover the market this year - but using footage filmed last year - when the drama over the market was unknown. So when you watch the Gardener's World piece over Christmas, reflect on how quickly news can get out of date...

Will post some photos from today below - scroll down to view... and click to enlarge.

2004-11-30T22:16:00.000Z

Mistletoe Auction - all gone in a blur of white - successful buyers loading their wins...

2004-11-30T22:15:00.000Z

Mistletoe Auction - representatives of the new English Mistletoe and Holly Festival Steering Committee...

2004-11-30T22:14:00.000Z

Mistletoe Auction - a classic mistletoe wrap

2004-11-30T22:13:00.000Z

Mistletoe Auction underway - Nick auctioning the holly wreaths

2004-11-30T22:12:00.000Z

Mistletoe Auction - more cattle penned mistletoe

2004-11-30T22:11:00.000Z

Mistletoe Auction - last chance to see in cattle pens?

Mystery at Kew?

2004-11-29T06:27:00.000Z

Checked Mail on Sunday for the mistletoe article (see yesterday's blog) but not there so either in Saturday's paper or delayed until next week. That would be more appropriate - as it is December by then, and mistletoe articles in November always seem a bit premature.

But i decide to check yesterday's paper anyway - and check the daily mail website. Looks like the only way to access yesterday's paper is to buy a week's access to the e-edition - which gives full access to the whole paper (for a week), as published - and all the back issues... So I pay my £4.99 and soon realise I've been conned (I think). The mistletoe piece would be in the Weekend supplement - but despite easily getting access to the main Saturday paper, there's no obvious (or actual?) access the supplement - shome mistake shurely? I should complain but won't until this time next week - give 'em the benefit of the doubt for a few days.... and see how readable these e-editions are, have been tempted to try the Guardian version for ages...

Meanwhile I get an email from Masaya Tatebayashi, a Japanese student at Kew who's been introducing mistletoe to the garden as part of the London Mistletoe Action Plan (http://www.lbp.org.uk/03action_pages/ac22_mistletoe.html). His introductions are germinating nicely, though with high mortality. This isn't unusual - only last Friday I spent a disappointing hour or so up a tree in a (secret) London location looking at low survival rates in some of the other mistletoe plantings. More on London plantings later...

But Masaya also has other news - he's found an established mistletoe plant at Kew - but it looks very odd. I think I know what it is... but will reserve judgement until we find out more - watch this space...

Mistletoe Media

2004-11-27T22:24:00.000Z

Travelled up to Ironbridge today, for the same Council meeting of the Association of Industrial Archaeaology reported at start of last year's mistletoe blog. As then, lots of mistletoe en route, and just as expected - but this time I had a mission in mind as I looked at it. I need some locations for a Radio 4 mistletoe interview next week - and will be starting out from the Shropshire/Worcestershire boundary area.

Unfortunately I was in too much of a rush to get to the meeting to suss out any new sites, and it was already dark when coming back. So I'll need to use favoured locations from the past - which is ok, but it's good to have some genuine sense of discovery when doing broadcast media and so a new site would have been better... Will need to make some calls to some orchard owners to set up possible visits.

And, I was so busy I forgot to buy the Daily Mail - where I think Monty Don was doing a piece on mistletoe growing, including using one of my picture. But maybe I got it wrong and it's in Sunday's edition.

Media interest so far this year has varied - mostly requests for pictures - from specialist magazines as wide-ranging as 'Garden News' and 'Everything French'! And the Daily Mail - as above. Plus the radio enquiries - some local stations and the Radio 4 request for next week.

Today I've even had a picture request from Oz - from a writer covering a new mistletoe species from the Loranthaceae, and asking whether I have a good pic of the Australian Mistletoe bird. I don't but do have a Gould League Badge with the Mistletoe Bird on it (will post a picture below) which is the closet I've got to Australian mistletoes. Must get out there next year. Some of the audience at my talk on Wednesday were going out soon, and we got talking about the various Australian mistletoe species - which include the infamous (amongt mistletoe anoraks only) West Australian Christmas Tree - Nuytsia floribunda - which (don't get confused by the name) is a ground rooting species - except it isn't - it's simply parasitic on the host tree roots instead of branches. All rather confusing really.

More mistletoe talk

2004-11-25T21:47:00.001Z

Yesterday evening gave a msitletoe presentation to Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust - a good, satisfying evening - and a bit of a contrast to my last presentataion to a GWT audience - just 2 weeks ago.

That was on canal restoration - a debate meeting jointly with the Gloucestershire Naturalists Society on the wildlife pros and cons of the local canal restoration (www.britishwaterways.co.uk/cotswolds). Reception there started with mistrust, and ended with a bit of it too. The issues are complex - though fairly easy in the early stages of the project where there are relatively straightforward ecological issues, solutions and enhancements. But it's the later stages (some years off still) where problems arise - how to restore a long dry canal passing through an ancient woodland SSSI, full of ptotected dormice, without affecting SSSI status, woodland or the dormice? Or how to restore an inaccessible 2.5 mile tunnel, 200 years old, with significant roof falls and an interesting and protected bat population? All could be solved with research, over several years - and though we have the several years, we haven't yet quite got the funding or commitment to do the research...

But I digress, as usual. What about the mistletoe do? Well, it seemed to go down well, lots of enthusiasm and questions. But I try to fit a lot in - biology, mistletoe worldwide, customs, myths, medicine, harvesting, growing your own, trade, contrasts with harvest and trade in the States, art nouveau, tacky Christmas art, conservation in UK, distribution in UK, national survey results etc. A bit demanding for me and the audience in 45 mins or so.

Oddly enough the Gloucestershire Naturalists Society have never asked me to do the mistletoe talk - only canals. When I suggested mistletoe to their meetings chap a few years back he said he couldn't see how just one species could fill the time - I didn't push the point, there wasn't time....

A bit more market news

2004-11-23T20:43:00.000Z

Today was the first of this year's mistletoe auctions at Tenbury Wells. I didn't go today, but have got a bit more info on the 'closure' of the market. More after my visit there next week - but it definitely looks like this year's markets will be the last of their type.

Any colour you like, as long as it's white

2004-11-21T21:11:00.000Z

Not much mistletoe activity this weekend - but I did go out hunting for mutli-coloured berries. I'd been told there were some unusual colours on some plants just up the road.

But don't get too excited - we're only talking differing shades of white here, not all colours of the rainbow. There is a red-berried mistletoe in Europe but that's another species (Viscum cruiciatum) and only grows in Spain and Portugal. And there does seem to be some confusion in some places - especially in the USA - over red berried mistletoe. Many popular US mistletoe depictions (cards, t-shirts, badges etc sold at Christmas) are red-berried - but these are holly - - and there's really no excuse - its easy to tell the difference, holly has got, er, spines.

Back to our Viscum album and its white berries: - there there have been various studies of colour variation in Va - particularly by Dr Grazi in Switzerland. He's documented several colour forms - ranging from white, through cream to almost yellow. And I think the V a subspecies coloratum , a variant that grows in Asia, has yellow berries (hence its name). But ours are just shades of white.

So what did I find? Lots of white berries, with some a little more creamy. Just what i expected really but an interesting exercise - will post a pic or 2 here soon.

Mistletoe harvest should be well underway 1

2004-11-17T21:17:00.000Z

The mistletoe harvest - both in Europe and North America should be well underway now. Already had some circulars from growers in Texas announcing their new season is underway. (Texas is, of course, a centre for mistletoe growing in the States - but you knew that already) .

Methods have changed over the years - the pic below is a Thomas Nast drawing from about 1880 - "Cutting mistletoe in the South". Nast was an illustrator of popular magazines and is credited by some with popularisation of the English mistletoe custom in the States. This pic shows a young black boy up a tree - cutting the American Phoradendron mistletoe.

More below on old pics of European harvests...

Cutting Mistletoe in the South - Thomas Nast c 1880

Mistletoe harvest should be well underway 2

2004-11-17T21:12:00.000Z

The traditional European harvest has always been centred on northern France - where most of Britain's mistletoe comes from. The pic below is a press photograph of about 1930 - showing harvest by costumed Normandy lads and lasses. There was an added incentive to harvest mistltoe in france - as its growth had been declared illegal in orchards - but in this pic they seem to have let it grow fairly large before harvesting - which suggests a rather lax law!

Compare this pic with the one below...

French harvesting for export to England c 1930 (click to enlarge)

Mistletoe harvest should be well underway 3

2004-11-17T20:59:00.000Z

The pic below is uncannily like the one above - same traditional costume, ladders and boxes - but motorised transport this time. This is taken from Le Pelerin, a French periodical, and is dated December 1932.

Some fault with the jpeg here - reposted below....

2004-11-17T20:46:00.000Z

French harvesting for Mistletoe - near Caen 1932 - click to enlarge

Lots of apple juice, but no mistletoe... 1

2004-11-13T21:25:00.000Z

An apple adventure today - Caroline and I went to help press cider apples at Paul Hurd's small-holding - right on the edge of the Forest of Dean. No mistletoe in Paul's orchard - which was slightly disappointing, and also a challenge - we must get some established there from next year. Plenty just down the hill on the edge of the estuary - so maybe it's partly an altitude thing.

Anyway - apples already picked - and 5 bodies to help - and all the right equipement:

Pic below shows the cutting operation (undertaken by Paul's wife (Sue) and Mum) .

apples and apple-chopping

Lots of apple juice, but no mistletoe... 2

2004-11-13T21:19:00.000Z

This pic is the scratting (must check that spelling) operation - chopped apples become macerated apples - ably demonstrated by Caroline...

apple scratting

Lots of apple juice, but no mistletoe... 3

2004-11-13T21:09:00.000Z

And this pic shows the pressing operation - macerated apples get squashed - ably demonstrated by Paul...

apple pressing

Lots of apple juice, but no mistletoe... 4

2004-11-13T21:00:00.000Z

Lastly, waste for the birds, and juice for the cider... Should be ready about the time we need to return for the mistletoe berry plantings in the orchard...

waste and juice... soon to be cider!

Mistletoe imports - anyone out there remember the Southampton trade?

2004-11-08T22:20:00.000Z

Radio interview with BBC Radio Solent this morning. Usual mistletoe stuff - though I was a wee bit flustered as I was on late, with an echoey ISDN line, 'cos Radio Gloucestershire's normal ISDN studio had been double-booked (one day I'll get the hang of these unsupervised ISDN links - but have had several dodgy experiences with poor sound before - so am always a tad nervous - this time I had loadsa slider controls to play with - but at least they told me which were the best ones to use - which just reminded me of Slartibartfast's note to Arthur Dent - 'This is probably the best button to press' when fleeing from the mice) (anyone who doesn't understand this comment should refer to BBC Radio 4, Douglas Adams, c. 1980).

Anyway, the point to record here is this - mistletoe was, and still is, imported in large quantities to the UK at Christmas from France and Belgium. The trade has been going on for well over 100 years to feed our kissing obsessions (the French, of course, don't need artificial excuses for kissing...). So I took the opp to ask the good listener(s) of R. Solent if they had any reminiscences of the historic imports at Southampton Docks (see pic below - click to enlarge it). This trade, once a feature of cargo ships, is now transported in the backs of lorries, vans and trailers on cross-channel ferries - so stats and info are hard to find. But there must be someone out there with recollections of the old-style imports? Do tell...

Mistletoe from France being unloaded at Southampton Docks in 1932 - the ladies don't look like stevedores - I assume they're only there for the photo...

Mistletoe Market 2004 - news and dates

2004-11-07T21:30:00.000Z

This year's Tenbury Wells mistletoe markets may be the last in the old tradition. The cattle market site has been sold for redevelopment - but I understand it will operate as usual for one last season. See www.mistletoe.org.uk for background info - including last year's weblog with market pictures.

Traditionally the auctions are due on three Tuesdays in November/December. This year they should be on 30th Nov, and 7th and 14th Dec. More info from Brightwells (01584) 810666 - but I'll be there for at least one of them - and will report here.

Seedling Reports - 1 Apple

2004-11-07T20:41:00.000Z

Out into the garden to check the seedlings from 2003. These were planted in February/March on various young trees around the garden ( no older trees available as the garden is only 5 years old). Hope to be doing similar checks on some of the London mistletoe plantings next week - there's a meeting of the London Mistletoe Action Plan next Tuesday. The plantings there will be more difficult to review - as most are on more mature - and much taller - trees. More on those soon.

But for now, just the saplings - and first stop is the apple. Apple is mistletoe's favourite UK host and so these should be doing well - and so they are - even though there're only about 10 mm long. Mistletoe does develop annoyingly slowly in its first 2 years - just a small growth from the seed to the host in year 1 and then a slightly larger growth out from the host in year 2.

The pics below show two separate plants - one with its first true leaves.

2 year-old mistletoe seedlings on apple - the one on the left has formed its first true leaves

Seedling Reports - 2 Willow

2004-11-07T20:40:00.000Z

Next stop, the willow - not doing so well here - most have been grazed off by something - probably snails as there are several in the tree this afternoon. But one plant is still thriving - though without any true leaves yet...

2 year-old mistletoe seedling (at bottom of picture) on willow - not doing very well so far....

Seedling Reports - 3 Robinia

2004-11-07T20:38:00.000Z

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...

2 yr-old mistletoe seedlings on Robinia - the ones on the right have been grazed and are re-sprouting

First mistletoe talk of the season...

2004-11-04T22:57:00.000Z

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. And I've been sorting through the files too - to make sure all those mistletoe data and nuggets of info are still accessible - 3 filing cabinets in use for this now...

As said above - not v exciting - but all helps mark the start of the season...

29th October Part 1 - not much mistletoe, but some fairies...

2004-11-01T21:20:00.000Z

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 – a favourite host and habitat.

We pass Charborough Park – where I’m still unsure of mistletoe’s status – there were some records in the national survey of the 1990s but the park is entirely private and inaccessible – home of the interestingly-named Plunkett-Ernle-Erle-Drax family. Mistletoe is definitely within the area – there are sites at Sturminster Marshall and, adjoining Charborough Park, at Henbury House – see last year’s blog for these. We pass the Henbury colonies after Charborough, en route to today’s destination – Kingston Lacy House, former home of the Bankes family...

We know that mistletoe was present within the estate at Kingston Lacy in the late 19th century – as there are accounts (eg by Violet Bankes) of the gardeners harvesting mistletoe at Christmas – but is it still there??? Today’s mission is to investigate accessible parts of the grounds – and spot mistletoe. Of course we could just ask – but where’s the fun in that? And anyway all the staff seem pre-occupied preparing for their illuminated “Enchanted Garden” event later this evening. (This has been running since the 27th and goes on ‘til 31st – Hallow’een – an annual ritual, complete with fairies – sounds a bit a bit urgh! - though see below! The staff are all anxious about tonight as the last 2 nights have been a bit of a washout… and so they could be heading for a loss – but tonight looks brighter…)

Can’t resist a quick trip round the house, never been before, and rather startling – small, but perfectly formed 19th C remodeling of 17th C house, most remarkable for its many pictures – loadsa Lelys and Van Dykes, Titians galore. All due to William John Bankes, the proprietor in the early 19th C, who was eventually exiled abroad for homosexual behaviour but, as living in Venice, still able to send loadsa valuable artworks home. God knows what WJB would’ve made of fairies in the garden at night (probably best not to delve too much more on this line of thought…)

Anyways, there we are, turfed out of the house at closing time (17.30ish) and still to see the grounds, and maybe the mistletoe. Sun is low, sun is shining, so light is just right for spotting it and for photos. But, alas alack, we’re thwarted by the fairy lighting plans – half the garden and grounds are out of bounds due to the lighting set-up, including the promising sounding Lime Avenue!!. (Actually there are so many leaves left on the limes that unless there are massive mistletoe growths they might be difficult to spot, but it would be good to try..)

So we decide to come back later – illuminations start at 6.30 and then, we assume, the Lime Avenue will be accessible and illuminated – mistletoe-hunting by floodlight – a new experience! 45 minutes to kill, so off to Safeways in Wimborne for supplies. En route we spot a mistletoe growth over the main road, close to the estate but not in the walled area – but arguably within ‘the estate’ – so maybe this is remnant of the colony described by Violet Bankes? Dunno – this probably needs a letter to the head gardener or whatever.

Anyway, go back at 18.45 to find the place absolutely heaving with parents and kiddies – we dutifully join the slow procession up into the illuminated groves. We know what’s coming – as the lights were being warmed up earlier – white, red, green and blue – but the kiddiwinks seem in awe – ‘look mummy, blue lights’… ‘and now green ones’…. ‘yes dear, wait ‘til we get closer’. All v impressive – just could do with a few less people – should have come yesterday in the rain bah humbug… But at least the NT (for it is they – did I mention that earlier?) must be raking it in tonight. And the crowds haven’t reached the late opening shop or restaurant yet…

But we mustn’t forget the fairies – and the kiddies certainly don’t. The slow procession gets slower, magical musak is heard, and we realise we’re in fairyland – sort-of. Costumed girlies, some with flapping wings (controlled by hand movements –so a tad irregular) but all lit with a multitude of coloured diodes are dancing and prancing, the whole mysterious effect heightened by blacked-out faces (politically-incorrect memories of the B&W Minstrel Show pop-up briefly but are rapidly dismissed – we must concentrate on reaching the LIME AVENUE…)

But all is not as expected – yes the Avenue is illuminated but we’re not allowed along it…(B*ll**ks!!!!) We’re only allowed to look from each end – and blimin’ ‘ell there are some more of them fairies prancing about in it. Actually, this really is impressive, much better than that dancing. The illuminated avenue, and a pair each of tall and short fairies hiding and then emerging from the trees, really does seem a bit magical. It certainly fascinates the kids, so much so that I have to wait ages to take a long exposure picture – hand-held so it’s a bit shaky. But worth getting – how often does one come across an illuminated lime avenue with optional fairies?

The illuminated Lime Avenue - the two blurred sparks on the path are fairies - but they moved during the exposure...

29th October Part 2 - not much mistletoe, but some weird trees...

2004-11-01T21:18:00.000Z

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 down their end for a change. Kiddies don’t move until fairies oblige, but eventually they do, and so kiddies depart and I can try another pic – more stable this time – note fairies – represented in long exposures as the glowing embers (see pic above - on the path at far end of avenue).

Onwards towards the promised hotdogs in the restaurant. Lots more trees and illuminations to see – and the show presents a whole new perspective on trees which a) are not usually lit from below – so can see aspects of trunks and branching in new light (geddit?) and b) not often lit in blues, violets and greens – which give v surreal effects. A lurid green cedar near the main house sums it up.

Lurid cedar and floodlit house

But no mistletoe – need to return when the leaves have fallen properly, and the fairies have retired for another year – might just do that in December… (or ring/write the estate manager – but that would be far too sensible)

Welcome to the Mistletoe Blog 2004

2004-10-31T21:20:00.000Z

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 soon - there's a 'real' (ish) fairy story due from 29th October - - will upload as soon as pics are avilable from the camera...