Establishment and early growth of Alepis flavida in relation to Nothofagus solandri branch size

Hand planted seeds of the mistletoe Alepis flavida establish much better on small Nothofagus solandri branches (<5 mm diameter: 48.4% establishment after one year) than on large branches (20–30 mm: 6.1%), whereas intermediate sized branches have intermediate establishment rates (10 mm: 21.6%). Wild 1–4‐year‐old Alepis flavida seedlings occurred on branches 0.5–6 mm diameter (mean = 1.9 mm). There was no significant difference in original branch size between tagged mistletoe seedlings that died and those that lived, but Alepis flavida shoot extension was positively correlated with host branch diameter increment. These data suggest the early establishment and survival of Alepis flavida seedlings is strongly dependent on the size and vigour of the branch on which the seed has been deposited.