and if you ever walked in the desert and suddenly there was a sweet smell and you couldn't tell what it was after looking all around, we discovered it today. Terrible picture but I wanted to document it so that I could tell you what the smell is: Mistletoe. Also while doing further reading I found this: "Generally speaking, parasites won't kill the host tree, because it would kill them as well," "A heavy infestation of mistletoe can damage or kill the host plant, but this is uncommon."
Info below from this great article: http://www.indefenseofplants.com/blog/2 ... -in-action
The desert mistletoe is a type of hemiparasite, which means it is capable of performing photosynthesis but nonetheless relies on its host tree for water and other nutrients. Lacking leaves, the desert mistletoe meets all of its photosynthetic needs via its green stems. Its leafless habit also makes its flowers and fruit all the more conspicuous. Despite their small size, its flowers are really worth closer inspection. When in bloom, a desert mistletoe comes alive with the hum of various insects looking for energy-rich nectar and pollen. Even before you spot them, you can easily tell if there is a blooming mistletoe nearby as the flowers give off a wonderfully sweet aroma. It appears that the desert mistletoe takes no chances when it comes to reproduction in such an arid climate.