Growth of mistletoe Viscum album on a deciduous tree (probably black poplar Populus nigra). Mistletoe grows on a no. of coniferous & deciduous trees; apple & the black poplar are the most well known. Seeds are carried onto the tree by birds (particularly thrushes) in autumn & germinate in spring. The bark is penetrated by a sinker" which grows into & taps the vascular system (xylem) of the host, removing water & minerals: the parasitism involves only water & minerals; mistletoe produces its own carbohydrate through photosynthesis. In subsequent years the root system may extend, possibly depriving the host of enough water that it dies back."