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

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

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

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

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

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…

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

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...

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…

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)

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

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

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

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

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

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....

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

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

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

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

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

6th December Part 4

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

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

Musical Mistletoe

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

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

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.