Mistletoe is a sacred plant that lives, in part, off the host tree it grows in. Widely viewed as an invasive nuisance plant, it has recently been dubbed an “environmental keystone species” — one that is crucial to maintaining balance in the ecosystem in which it lives (often by keeping growth of another species in check). Mistletoe provides a source of nesting material for birds as well as food for numerous animals.
However, the mistletoe growing in the trees surrounding the Goddess Temple is killing them. The photographs below show the progressive growth of mistletoe in these trees over time. For this reason, we aim to work in partnership with the land by clearing overgrowth of mistletoe from the trees closest to the temple and on the surrounding trails.
Mistletoe removal must be done between December and February, when the trees are dormant and bare of leaves. If you or your group would like to help this year, please contact us.
Early-stage mistletoe invasion
Mistletoe is highly invasive
This tree is inundated with mistletoe
Mistletoe killed this tree