The Tree Council, a national charity dedicated to fostering a shared love for trees, is collaborating with the University of Oxford to launch an exciting citizen science survey aimed at discovering the abundance and distribution of European mistletoe across the UK. This parasitic plant, often associated with Christmas, naturally grows on specific tree species. The initiative, led by University of Oxford DPhil student Ollie Spacey, aims to unravel mistletoe’s ecological, socio-economic, and cultural significance in the UK with the help of the mistlego app.
The Tree Council, in partnership with the University and Fera Science, has developed the MistleGO! app, inviting enthusiastic volunteers to participate in recording mistletoe locations and their abundance. The app, designed by Ollie Spacey, allows users to contribute valuable data, including information about the host tree species and whether the mistletoe is in berry.
Ollie Spacey, from the University’s Department of Biology, emphasizes the broader importance of mistletoe beyond Christmas traditions, stating, “Mistletoe’s abundance is thought to be changing, and we need your help to understand how and why.”
Despite being one of the most recognizable plants, the last national survey of mistletoe in the UK occurred in the 1990s, providing limited information on its abundance and host tree varieties. The MistleGO! app seeks to rectify this by gathering up-to-date information on mistletoe’s presence and abundance, essential for effective species management and understanding its future distribution.
Sara Lom, CEO of The Tree Council, encourages people to get involved: “Like mince pies and mulled wine, mistletoe is an intrinsic part of many Christmas celebrations and it features in so many of our traditional stories and mythologies. It is a crucial part of our native flora, but we really don’t know enough about it.”
Participants are urged to use the MistleGO! app this winter, capturing mistletoe sightings on trees that have shed their leaves. Ollie Spacey encourages users to submit photos and record the number of mistletoe growths they observe, along with any interesting observations. This data will contribute to predicting the future of this vital native species.
While mistletoe can pose challenges to host trees, particularly in apple orchards, it plays a crucial role as a ‘keystone’ species supporting biodiversity. Additionally, mistletoe extracts have potential applications in cancer treatment.
To join the MistleGo! Pioneer Movement and contribute to this important research, download the MistleGO! app at https://arcg.is/1vnbru0. The survey is hosted on ArcGIS Survey 123 and is supported and funded by NERC, University of Oxford, The Tree Council, and FERA Science.
Photo by Dids .: https://www.pexels.com/photo/close-up-of-mistletoe-9830498/