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 Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit Share on X (Opens in new window) X 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.