What is this hanging from my apple tree?

Mrs Bee · « **on:** February 20, 2015, 09:52 »

Noticed these icicle type, transparent sticky things hanging from the apple tree this morning and am perplexed
as to what they are. Have never seen them before.

Any ideas?

I am worried it might be a disease.

Mr Bee wondered if they might be mistletoe berries that birds have squished on the branches and have dropped off to make these icicle like things but I haven't noticed these in past years.

Annen · « **Reply #1 on:** February 20, 2015, 10:17 »

They would make lovely Christmas tree decorations! Have you opened one to see if there is anything inside?

Mrs Bee · « **Reply #2 on:** February 20, 2015, 10:27 »

I actually have lots of glass icicles for exactly that.

No I haven't thought to see if anything is inside. I will go and do that now!

I should have thought of that, but to be fair I was still half asleep and hadn't had my first cup of coffee.

mumofstig · « **Reply #3 on:** February 20, 2015, 10:28 »

If the tree has small injuries they can leak sap droplets, which would be sticky.

Mrs Bee · « **Reply #4 on:** February 20, 2015, 10:41 »

Thanks Mum. That was what I was worried about.

I have just come back from the tree, and this time I took my glasses with me.

and had a squeeze of the droplets.

It would seem that they are mistletoe berries. Thanks Annen.

I have never seen them do this before. I have wiped them off as I have enough bushes on my tree. Must cover the bushes so the birds can't get any more of the berries before I post them off.

Now that I know it isn't a disease, I am happy and can appreciate the beauty of them.

Annen · « **Reply #5 on:** February 20, 2015, 12:14 »

Interesting!

jezza · « **Reply #6 on:** February 20, 2015, 21:05 »

hi if they are mistletoe seeds they should be easy to germinate just cut a T in the bark push them in and rap with raffia the sticky outer coating will have been removed by passing through the birds jezza

Mrs Bee · « **Reply #7 on:** February 21, 2015, 11:21 »

Thanks Jezza.
I have removed the hanging berry icicles as I don't think my apple tree will support any more plants than it already has.

I will pass your suggestions on to the people I am giving berries to at the end of March.

When I first started off some berries about 9 years ago I tried the cutting method and the sticking it to the branch and hope method. And got nothing at all from either.

Then I got berries from another source and tried both methods again. Both methods were successful, so I put it down to better and riper berries.

What I didn't do was wrap them with some raffia. Will pass that suggestion on. Thanks.

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What is this hanging from my apple tree?

Mrs Bee

What is this hanging from my apple tree?

Annen

Re: What is this hanging from my apple tree?

Mrs Bee

Re: What is this hanging from my apple tree?

mumofstig

Re: What is this hanging from my apple tree?

Mrs Bee

Re: What is this hanging from my apple tree?

Annen

Re: What is this hanging from my apple tree?

jezza

Re: What is this hanging from my apple tree?

Mrs Bee

Re: What is this hanging from my apple tree?

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