It's only magical if a Druid gathers it with a tiny gold pruning scythe or sickle called a serpe in French (from serpens, a serpent, in Latin). Shooting it is not kosher unless you are Robin Hood and flirting with Maid Marian.

I learned that from Asterix comics.

The mistletoe is a parasitic plant that grows preferentially on oak trees, sacred to the Druids. It is poisonous, which is why you see a lot of plastic mistletoe rather than the real thing.

It stays green in winter.

brantgoose: It's only magical if a Druid gathers it with a tiny gold pruning scythe or sickle called a serpe in French (from serpens, a serpent, in Latin).


I came here for the Asterix reference, and I leave satisfied.

Rapmaster2000: I've actually thought of doing the same thing in my yard but since I live a few miles from this incident I think I'll refrain.

Side note: do you think a .410 would knock a mistletoe out of the upper branches of an oak tree? Because these are the current logistics of my cunning plan.

I used to bring it down with a Crossman pump action BB gun. Not only is a shotgun cheating, but seems to me you'd end up with salad, not sprigs.

I had to read that article three times to figure out who was shooting the mistletoe where.

Goddamn rednecks.

I had a friend who used to climb trees, gather mistletoe, and then sell it door to door at $3 for a small bag full.

Made some pretty good money.