'Tis the season so here are a couple of photos of an obligate hemiparasite growing on the bough of the apple tree next door: a nice example of Viscum album commonly known as Mistletoe. Apple trees with their softish bark are known for being receptive hosts. Birds eat the berries but cannot digest the sticky seeds which they wipe off on the wood.
 Mistletoe has an arcane and ancient symbolism in the realms of plant lore, myth, magick and yes, Christmas.