OM DENNE EPISODE
In this episode, we sit down with David Shaw, a Professor Emeritus in the College of Forestry at Oregon State University, to explore the fascinating ecology and management of Oregon's dwarf mistletoe. While heavy infestations can deform trees by creating massive, dense branch structures known as "witches' brooms"—which can sometimes grow larger than a van—Shaw explains why these plants are actually crucial drivers of forest biodiversity. Learn how these unique structural formations provide vital nesting habitats for wildlife like the spotted owl, and how the mistletoe's aerial shoots act as the sole food source for the caterpillars of the Johnson's and Thicket hairstreak butterflies.
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