Mistletoe Pruning Program

This program is jointly sponsored by the Sacramento Tree Foundation and Urban Forest Services. Mistletoe is a plant parasite spread tree to tree primarily by birds. Mistletoe deprives a tree of both nutrients and water. It can weaken a healthy tree making it susceptible to other diseases. Multiple tree diseases result in a loss of vigor that can lead to die back and eventually loss of the tree. Experts agree that the most effective way to manage mistletoe is to physically remove it.

How You Can Manage Mistletoe
Keeping our trees healthy is the goal of the Mistletoe Pruning Program. The program offers City of Sacramento residents two options:

• Option 1: Sign up for our Low-cost Professional Tree Pruning service (see below) that covers the entire tree.
• Option 2: Join our free pole saw loan program to prune mistletoe yourself. To request more information, or to sign up for a pole saw, call us at (916) 808-6355.

Both programs are available only to City of Sacramento residents with front yard street trees infected with mistletoe. Call us at (916) 808-6355 and a representative from the Sacramento Tree Foundation will schedule a visit to your neighborhood to discuss your options.

Low-cost Professional Tree Services for Mistletoe-infected Street Trees
City of Sacramento residents with front yard street trees infected with mistletoe are eligible for this service. The program is offered November 1st through March 31st. Cost is based on the trunk diameter measured at 4 feet 6 inches from the ground.

The program runs from Nov. 1 to March 31. The contract pruning is only for mistletoe infested trees along the city streets that Urban Forest Services does not maintain. Anyone interested should call 808-6355 to see if they qualify for the program.