Wednesday 28 November 2007

It is traditionally kissed under, has been known to slay gods and you may even be using it to wash your hair. This winter Norfolk Wildlife Trust is asking people to look to the trees for one of the season's most-loved icons as it launches its Citizen Science Mistletoe Survey. The aim is to map mistletoe within the county; everyone is encouraged to join in and help discover whether mistletoe is thriving or declining in Norfolk.

NWT is interested not only in mapping where mistletoe can be found but also to find out which trees it is growing on. Most records in Norfolk are of mistletoe growing on apple and lime trees, though it has also been recorded on poplar, almond, hawthorn, field maple and willow. It hasn't been found on an oak tree in the county since 1866; maybe you could take up the challenge and be the first person in over 140 years to find mistletoe growing on an oak in Norfolk?

Mistletoe appears to be less common in some parts of Norfolk than in the past. The grubbing up of traditional apple and pear orchards has destroyed one of the most important habitats for this plant. Conversely, the changing climate is possibly benefiting mistletoe as warmer, wetter winters with fewer frosts may enable this evergreen to grow more vigorously during winter months.

Director of Norfolk Wildlife Trust Brendan Joyce said: 'NWT is mapping Mistletoe's distribution within the county to discover more about this strange but fascinating plant. The best time to look for mistletoe bunches is between December and February when trees are bare of leaves. We are asking everyone to be on the lookout, and get in touch if you spot mistletoe growing anywhere in Norfolk; it could be your garden, your local park or along your favourite walk.

NWT needs to know when and where you saw it, and what type of tree it was growing on. The survey can be completed online click here or via a survey card. To receive a free card please send a SAE to Mistletoe Survey, NWT, 22 Thorpe Road, Norwich, NR1 1RY. The survey runs until the end of January.

The Mistletoe Survey is NWT's second Citizen Science survey in their Natural Connections project, which received funding from Heritage Lottery Fund and the European Social Fund. The project also includes a free wildlife information and advice service for people across Norfolk. The new website pages cover frequently asked questions, species profiles and an online photo gallery gathering the public's images of Norfolk's wildlife. Click here or telephone our Norfolk Wildline on 01603 598333.

To read the Mistletoe Species Profile and learn more about Mistletoe, click here

For all you ‘born and bred’ Norfolk people here follows a poem to explain how you can help Norfolk Wildlife Trust:

Hev yew got any Mistletoe? Thas what we want a know
Tis called a hemi-parasite and on trees it do grow

Sticky white berries you will see yonder up high
Birds take these and spread em bout as they pass by

Taint that common in Norfolk, but we think it might be spreadin
Could be that global warmin stuff is to what we’re headin

So when you in them woods a walkin
Keep you lookin bor, keep you a gawkin

See if you can spot it in Poplar, Apple or Lime trees
these hint got leaves on now so yew’ll need some expertise

Hev yew got any Mistletoe in your trees?
Then fill in our survey and let us know please!

Poem by Vivienne Lain, Norfolk Wildlife Trust volunteer.