How to Harvest Real Mistletoe for the Holidays

Are you tired of all the artificial stuff at Christmas time? These days families are going green. If you want to go green for Christmas, I have a great idea. Find some real Mistletoe. I want to share with you an easy way to find and harvest mistletoe without climbing a tree.Hunting mistletoe as a family can be great fun. It can get your whole family into the spirit of Christmas. Mistletoe is found in all parts of the United States where hardwood trees grow such as, oak, walnut, Maple, etc. If you live in an area of the U.S. Where it snows, plan your family mistletoe hunt accordingly.

The woods can be a winter wonderland after a snow. There is something magical about a fresh fallen snow. It will create some precious memories that will last a life time. If you do n don’t live where it snows, don’t hesitate. The woods is still beautiful when it is green.Plan a day when the whole family can get together. Some one wisely said, “Plan your work and work your plan.” I have found if I do not schedule time with my family, it may not happen. You may not want to tell your children exactly what you are doing. The mystery will make it exciting.If you live where it is cold be sure to dress in warm clothes. I have found that I can never wear too many layers of clothes when it is cold. I can always take off some layers if I get too warm. I cannot put on layers if I do not bring extra clothes. Who wants to pack a bunch of extra clothes anyway?

Pack a picnic lunch. Bring some sandwiches, chips and cookies in a back pack for dad to carry. And don’t forget the hot chocolate!You will need some gallon zip lock bags for the mistletoe.Now your ready except for one important tool. You will need a 12 gauge shot gun. If dad has never handled a gun, you may need to bring a friend or relative who knows how to be safe with a gun. Why a shot gun? Because it is the easiest way to harvest the mistletoe without climbing a tree.Safety always comes first. Remember not to load the gun until you are ready to harvest the mistletoe.It is important to find a private woods when searching for mistletoe. Always obtain permission before entering private property. You don’t want to get arrested for trespassing.

Find a friend or relative that owns a farm. Farms usually have an acre or two of woods.Most woods on a farm have a tractor road or well worn path. When you find a road or path going through the woods, walk slowly and look up into the branches of the trees. If there has been snow fall you have an advantage. Green can easily be seen peeking through the white snow.

How do you identify mistletoe? Mistletoe grows in clusters and is easy to identify. It grows in clusters about the size of a grape fruits. Its leaves look similar to clover with a dark green in color. From a distance, it looks like a dark fuzzy green ball. Mistletoe is a parasite. It attaches itself to the branches of most hardwood trees, especially Oak trees.Most mistletoe grows high in the branches of trees. So get ready to strain your necks a bit. Let the kids try to identify it first. It will be like a game to them and they will get excited when they find it.

Once located, it is time for dad to use the shot gun. Before the gun is loaded, have the entire family to move at least 10 feet behind. Now dad can load the shot gun as he points it down towards the ground. The family may want to place their fingers in their ears because there is going to be a loud boom.Aim the shot gun at the mistletoe and slowly pull the trigger. Once the shot hits its mark it is going to be raining mistletoe! It will be falling every where. The kids will be running like they are looking for Easter eggs. Each kids should have a zip lock bag in their hands.

Once the mistletoe is harvested, it is a good time to find a nice big fallen tree. Spread a blanket over the trunk and its time to eat. While you are sitting on the tree ask the kids to be silent for a moment. Notice the sounds of nature. You may hear things like the gentle barking of a squirrel, the call of a blue jay, or the pecking of a Woodpecker. Ask the kids to try identify some of the sounds. It is the small surprises experienced in the activities of life that imprint our memories.

When your family arrives home, empty the mistletoe on a table and get some long green garbage bag ties. Tie a few sprigs of mistletoe together. Now you are ready to hang your mistletoe or give it away.When I worked at a hospital, I took some mistletoe to work and it was a big hit. I gave it away for Christmas presents. The employees loved it! People will really appreciate something naturally green at Christmas. After all, we live in an artificial world of Christmas decorations.

The only thing left to do now is plan your hunt. You will find you have added a family tradition that will be fun and special year after year. Now, get out that calendar and schedule your family mistletoe hunt!


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