The dreaded Dodder or Witch's Hair

Hi! My sister lives in the San Diego area (where I'm from}. She has a problem. She has some pepper trees that have a bad infestation of dodder, that parasitical orange -colored vine that covers native chaparral during the wet season sometimes. It doesn't have chlorophyl (sp?), but is a flowering plant, probably spread by birds. Anyway, it's having a field day on the pepper trees. It usually dries up during the dry season, but this year it's got a head start and may even kill the trees. Any ideas? Organic methods preferred. Thanks! Brian from San Diego.

Brian,
You are a long way from home. Remove all the affected limbs. It might save the tree. I do have a baby pepper I'm going to rip out if she wants it. (You can dmail me if she does.)
I think it's common name is either Angel's Hair or Devil's Hair. It is a parasite. I've got it on my sagebrush in one area here on the farm. A photo would be helpful, but it's raining here, and I'm not hiking out there in the mud right now.
I'm probably wrong, so wait for other DG'ers to check in, Brian from SD.
Walk In Beauty!
SingingWolf

I've heard it called Witch's Hair.....

Me too, Sherry, lot's of names for the nasty stuff. Other than trimming it, the only other way I know of to get rid of it is by burning it. Shudder!
Good luck there!
WIB,
SW

Oh, silly me...I see now that Witch's Hair was already acknowledged in the thread title.....

You've had a lot on your mind Sherry. No worries.
WIB!
SW

I'd suggest she call the Master Gardener line in San Diego.

See, I knew someone would have a better answer. I love these folks. I wouldn't have thought of that one.
WIB!
SW

Heck, you have to know these things when you're a dunderheaded gardener (referring to myself!), SW!

This message was edited Jan 18, 2010 2:34 PM

Come on now, KC, we both know I have memory problems. LOL!
Just have to laugh about it, and am sooo grateful you all have my back!
WIB!
SW