I took it to the forestry department in the College of Natural Resources at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point to get it checked out this morning. They knew what it was right away and said it is indeed eastern dwarf misteltoe. The professor said that it is the cause of many witches brooms found in northern Wisconsin, and the northeast portion of the country in general. Externally, he could only find it on the bottom branches. He thinks that it hasn't yet spread to the top of the plant. He took some slices of branches from the upper portions to look under a microscope and saw no pathological evidence of it there, confirming it has not already spread internally on the plant. I'll leave it up to the grafters to decide. Matt

Resin, your quote... "Sorry if you feel that way; it certainly wasn't intended." No problem apology accepted. In my opinion bluespruce has resolved the 'Nana' verses 'Ericoides' discussion. Any other thoughts? Are we in agreement to a much discussed and confusing topic. In my way thinking some of us are not growing what the name tag implies. I just post photos for the pure enjoyment of it and for whatever help they may give to the collector by seeing a visual of these conifers in a setting. We all don't grow the same thing. A photo speaks volumes...considering the thousands of cultivars that are now offered to the novice or pure collector. It opens the door for discussion and interaction between the novice and expert offering advice. By the way sit down and post 8-12 photos..a time consuming operation from shooting a photo of the conifers to hitting the submit message. You have to be devoted and have everybody's best interest in mind. 20 years ago this would have not been possible. Because of this new found technology we have a whole new host of individuals interested in conifer collecting that otherwise would not be on board . There is much to be learned on this forum by the unselfish contributions by a very knowledgeable and diverse group of people. Dave

I always had in mind that there was an origin confusion with both plants... Overhere I also can hear the sound of folks updating their databases and printing labels for their markers, but unfortunately these are only the one's wo are reading this forum. For the time to come there will be a lot of relabeling to do for nurserymen and garden centres owners... Here is a link that might be useful: work that have to be done!

While I'm watching the World Championchip soccer (football) 2010 The Netherlands - Spain, which is now at the 66 minutes playing time and is still 0-0 I checked the GW forum for a change...;0) Will,your 'Ericoides' is the right one, it's a pretty flat growing cultivar while 'Nana' is a more globose form. 'Nana', the one you show us is worldwide sold as Picea glauca 'Echiniformis' but is in reality Picea mariana 'Nana'. Your 'Aureovariegata' is a very nice cultivar but will grow into a tree in a couple of years. Other names for this cultivar are Picea mariana 'Aurea' and Picea glauca 'Aurea'. It's about time that a witches'broom must be found in this tree ;0)