They have returned, yes, the clumps of mistletoe on the trees are back. Of course they are always there, no-one removes them, they belong to nature. They arrive on the trees, by seeds from their berries. They begin to grow and absorb water and nutrients from the host tree because they are parasites. These mistletoe plants have been there for years, the tree still lives and so does the mistletoe. In summer the mistletoe disappears, although it is probably still there, but hidden by the leaves of the tree. Now the trees are losing their leaves to Autumn and the mistletoe has returned: perhaps only temporary until Spring.
Chronicles of an Anglo Swiss 
I didn’t know any of that stuff about mistletoe and I certainly had NO idea it would grow in Switzerland! Great photograph and thank you for the information. I feel smarter!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was a Christmas thing in England and the first time I saw it growing was in our area in Switzerland. I must admit I was fascinated. When the trees lose their leaves it is very imposing sitting on the trees.
LikeLike
I saw mistletoe in France as well. I hadn’t known what it looked like in real life before that.
janet
LikeLiked by 1 person
They sold it on our local market in London, but I had then never seen it growing on the trees
LikeLike
I had no idea of how they grew. How interesting. Thanks
LikeLiked by 1 person
I was also surprised the first time I saw them. They are a parasite.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Our mistletoe is mysteriously gone this year. No one knows why. It infests the locusts and box elders quite badly. Now that the trees are defoliating, all the mistletoe is gone!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Our mistletoe has been around since I can remember. We don’t have locusts. During the leafy months you never see it, but as soon as Autumn arrives, it appears again. I took this photo yesterday.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, ours hides in the foliage all years, and then becomes apparent about now as the locusts defoliate early. However, this year, when the locusts defoliated, there was no mistletoe. It is quite a mystery.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Perhaps the locusts have developed an appetite for mistletoe
LikeLiked by 1 person
You know, I would have thought that the locusts did something, but the mistletoe is missing in the box elders and cottonwoods too. It is missing everywhere.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pingback: WPC: Temporary | Lillie-Put