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Honey mesquite · Prosopis glandulosa

What are those growths on my Honey mesquite branches?

If you see leafy, green clumps growing out of your tree branches, you likely have mistletoe. This parasitic plant steals nutrients and water from your mesquite.

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pests on a plant
Photo: Jules Verne Times Two, CC BY-SA 4.0

Check these first

  1. Inspect the branches for any unusual green clumps.
  2. Check the undersides of leaves for fine webbing.
  3. Look for sticky residue on the leaves or ground.

Likely causes

  1. Mistletoe infestation

    Most likely

    How to tell: You will see distinct, bushy green clumps that look different from the mesquite foliage. These clumps stay green even when the tree is dormant.

    What to do: Prune the infected branch at least 6 to 12 inches below the point where the mistletoe attaches. Dispose of the clippings immediately so the seeds do not spread.

  2. Spider mites

    Possible

    How to tell: Fine webbing appears between leaflets and leaves look stippled or pale. You might see tiny moving dots with a magnifying glass.

    What to do: Spray the foliage with a strong stream of water to dislodge the mites. Repeat this every 5 days until the webbing disappears.

Pests on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your honey mesquite

The list above covers the usual causes. Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your actual plant and tells you the likely cause, how serious it is, and what to try first. Identification and a health check are free.

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When to worry

Mistletoe is serious because it weakens the tree over time and makes it susceptible to other diseases. Small mite infestations are usually manageable.

Stopping it coming back

Keep your tree healthy with proper watering to help it resist pests. Regularly inspect branches for early signs of mistletoe growth.

Honey mesquite: pests? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your honey mesquite and Pocket Botanist tells you which cause is most likely, how serious it is, and what to try first. A few checks a day are free. Save the plant and you get care reminders timed for it.

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Questions people ask

Will mistletoe kill my tree?
It rarely kills the tree outright, but it can severely stress it and make it vulnerable to drought or other pests.
Can I just pull the mistletoe off?
No, you must prune the branch below the attachment point because the roots of the mistletoe grow deep into the tree wood.

Guides to these causes

More problems with Honey mesquite

Back to the Honey mesquite guide

This article was generated with AI on from the plant’s care profile and is general information, not horticultural advice. Read about how we build these guides.