Dwarf Mistletoe Management and Forest Health in the Southwest

摘要

This report considers past approaches and more recent ideas for managing dwarf mistletoes in the Southwest. The impact of these parasitic plants on timber production has been known for decades, and considerable effort has focused on silvicultural control. With changing perspective in recent years-particularly the increased attention on biodiversity and more public involvement in forest management-dwarf mistletoe control has become controversial. As a result, there is considerable uncertainty about how dwarf mistletoes should be addressed in our management scheme. In many ways, dwarf mistletoes present a dilemma for forest managers (including pathologists). Probably anyone who has observed the effects of extensive infestation would agree that control is desirable, at least in many situations.