Population Buildup and Vertical Spread of Dwarf Mistletoe on Young Red and White Firs in California

Rate of population buildup of dwarf mistletoe, Arceuthobium abietinum Engelm. ex Munz., was slow in most small red firs and white firs 12 to 15 years after inoculation with the parasite. Where population buildup did occur, it remained clustered in the lower portions of tree crowns near inoculation sites. Maximum distance of vertical spread was 16 feet (4.8 m), after 15 years. The mean annual rate of vertical spread of the parasite in 12 to 15 years was 3 inches (7 cm) or less in test trees. No vertical spread occurred in some trees. Rate of vertical spread was much slower in all trees than the mean annual height growth of vigorous young red or white firs. Therefore, the test trees were outgrowing the spread of dwarf mistletoe within tree crowns. Vertical spread rate and rate of tree height growth together determine the proportion of tree crown that will be infested at a given time after inoculation.