News Ecosystems Mistletoe, of all things, helps juniper trees By Susan Milius January 2, 2002 at 1:30 pm - More than 2 years ago Share this:Share Share via email (Opens in new window) Email Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X Click to print (Opens in new window) Print Often dismissed as the parasitic kiss of death, mistletoes turn out to form complex relationships with their trees, sometimes fostering new life. A clump of mistletoe may kill a juniper branch but boost opportunities for seedlings. Van Ommeren A spiky mistletoe species on juniper trees attracts birds that spread the trees’ seeds, says Ron J.