Story ideas? Contact Tom Mayer Editor 754-0428 tmayet@lakecityreporter.com Sunday, December 20, 2009 Lake City Reporter LIFE www.lakecityreporter.com GARDEN TALK Nichelle Demorest dndemorest@ufl.edu Where the mistletoe grows Mistletoe, or festive "kissing balls," are decking. the halls of many homes this time of year. Hanging mistletoe has become part of our traditional d6cor for Christmas in American and New Year's in Europe. But take a leisurely country drive and notice the decidu- ous trees that are leafless during the winter. Those green balls of mistletoe are also adorning many of our deciduous hardwoods such as oaks, elms, sycamores and pecans. These trees are all "decked out" for the holidays, too. That pretty green ball of little green leaves and white berries is actually a semi-parasitic plant. They are healthy and growing all year but we really become ' aware of them during the winter dormant season. They are camouflaged by the tree's green leaves in summer, but when the tree leaves fall, the evergreen mistletoe plant stands out against the sky. The dor- mant trees are adorned with green balls making our winter Florida land- scape so much more inter- esting. These semi-parasitic plants obtain water and minerals from inside the host tree. It does produce its own food through pho- tosynthesis, however, so damage to the host is less severe. When mistletoe grows on a tree, it'sends out a special root-like struc- ture that penetrates the bark and extends into the circulatory system of the tree. This clever water thief usually doesn't cause seri- ous harm to the tree unless the host tree is already weakened from pests, weather, or old age. So how does a peren- nial evergreen plant start growing way up in the treetops? Although the white berry is poisonous to humans and other animals, they make a great meal for birds. The single seed inside the white mistletoe berry is very sticky. Birds discard the berries while eating them or deposit them on the branches in droppings. The seeds stick' to the bark while they ger- minate and set down roots. Once established, mistletoe can grow rapidly and can often reach a diameter of three feet. Removal of mistletoe may be deemed appropri- ate for trying to revive a valued tree. Pruning back the ball won't work because it will just cause accelerated growth and spread. Total removal of the branch in which the mistletoe is growing is necessary. To get all of the structures growing in the tree's wood, remove the entire branch about 6 to 12 inches below the point of attachment. If your tree is large, this might be a dan- gerous undertaking unless you hire a professional tree service. Another alternative MISTLETOE continued on 2D An inflatable Santa riding a train is one of the many inviting scenes in front of Brad and Lorrie Wheeler's home at 197 NW Brookside Court. Motorists and i pedestrians are welcome to enjoy the displays in their Christmas drive-thru from now until Jan. 1.Those willing to donate to Happy House and Christian Service Center can do so while driving through the displays. The Wheelers will match all donations made. Light up the season boDqw~-wo~ By LEANNE TYO Ityo@lakecityreporter.com 50 holiday light struc- tures bring Bill and Ruth Behrenwald's front yard to life this holiday sea- son, and each one of them is handmade. The Behrenwald's home is one of many in Lake City and Columbia County that illuminate the night, giving passers-by reason to stop and admire the brightly lit Christmas lights. Bill Behrenwald said the tallest structure in his yard this year is a giant stocking - that reaches to a height of 12- to 13-feet, and the run- ners-up include a 12-foot waving snowman and a 12- foot waving Santa. Because all of the fix- tures are self-supporting, Bill Behrenwald said it only takes about three hours to decorate the yard with the displays and run electricity to them. "We're pretty well decked out," Bill Behrenwald said. It takes a lot of creativity and hard work to fashion one of these structures. Ruth Behrenwald said all of the structures are made of heavy steel, and . Bill Behrenwald said he purchases the steel in 20- foot links and then bends it by hand to fit the shape of what he's making; "You can do things by hand quicker," said Bill Behrenwald. After the structure is bent to the desired shape, Bill Behrenwald said he arc welds it, primes it, adds two coats of industrial enamel, wires it and uses commercial bulbs to make the structure light up. "I've always worked with metal and welding," Bill Behrenwald said. 'This was something I could do on my own without too much cost." While Bill Behrenwald does all the handiwork on his own, his wife Ruth Behrenwald is still a strong UGHTS continued on 5D PHOTOS BY JASON MATTHEW WALKER/ Lake City Reporter (ABOVE) A wise man leads a camel to meet baby Jesus in.one of the many Christmas scenes adorning Bill and Ruth Behrenwald's home, located,at 1568 NW Turner Ave.. (RIGHT) A Christmas wreath illuminates a lion statue in the - Behrenwald's front yard. For more local Christmas lights: 1. At 235 SW Little Road, Lake City: Go Highway 47 South to Columbia City, turn left at 240 and then go two miles. Look to the left and you will see the decorations. 2. The Bailey family presents a drive-through light display at their home on CR 131 (Tustenuggee Road). Take U.S. Highway 41 South to CR 131, travel approximately 'four miles to4738 SW Tustenuggee Road, Lake City. 3. The Butlers present holiday lights at 693 NW Palm Dr., Lake City. .~..- I- �t ,