Dwarf Mistletoe on Red Spruce in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. F. G. Hawksworth, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Fort Collins, CO 80526. A. L. Shigo, Northeastern Forest Experiment Station, Durham, NH 03824. Plant Dis. 64:880-882. This article is in the public domain and not copyrightable. It may be freely reprinted with customary crediting of the source. The American Phytopathological Society, 1980. DOI: 10.1094/PD-64-880.

Although eastern dwarf mistletoe (Arceuthobium pusillum) has been widely distributed in New Hampshire for many years, it has been generally regarded as a botanical curiosity rather than a forestry concern. Our observations in many parts of the White Mountains, however, show that the parasite is causing not only growth reduction and mortality of red spruce (Picea rubens) but also marked trunk swellings, a serious lumber degrade factor, on the valuable butt log.