Home»Jasper Ridge Galleries»Mistletoe Comes and Then Goes: Lone Valley Oak, 2009-2024

The lone Valley Oak (Quercus lobata) at the crest of Jasper Ridge has seen a lot over the past two or more centuries. Now surrounded by open grassland (with encroaching Coyote Brush), it provides a prime viewing perch for raptors and other birds – for example, see the White-tailed Kite and American Kestrel in this collection.

Some Valley Oaks at Jasper Ridge are prime locations for Oak Mistletoe (Phoradendron serotinum ssp. tomentosum); some have none. In the decades I have known it, the lone Valley Oak has been free from mistletoe – except for a couple of years around 2016-2017. It is easy to see the source of the mistletoe: the highest point of the tree is a favorite perch. But somehow this tree does not have the conditions to support permanent mistletoe.

This sequence, mostly from the same angle, over 14 years, shows from no mistletoe, to mistletoe, and back.

Also of interest: December is a pivotal month for losing leaves. On 12/18/2009 and 12/19/2016: bare tree, almost all leaves fallen. 12/16/2019: brown leaves, not yet fallen. 12/19/2022: almost all of last season’s leaves are gone.

BONUS: the last four images show another nearby Valley Oak, covered in mistletoe. Two show the shifting display in this tree, some mistletoe wilting, some coming anew. Then there are two closeups of mistletoe at this tree. The lone Valley Oak stands on the ridge behind the mistletoe tree.