State warns to dispose Christmas trees to curb invasive pests
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture is urging residents, including those in the Twin Cities metro, to dispose of Christmas trees and holiday greenery through curbside collection or official drop‑off sites rather than dumping them in woods or backyard compost, to prevent invasive insects and plant diseases from spreading. Officials cite risks from pests such as elongate hemlock scale, boxwood blight and round leaf bittersweet—especially on trees and boughs imported from other states—and ask anyone who suspects an infestation to contact the MDA’s Report a Pest line at 1‑888‑545‑6684.
📌 Key Facts
- MDA says Christmas trees and greenery brought from other states can carry invasive species into Minnesota forests and landscapes.
- Residents are advised to use curbside pickup or designated drop‑off sites, avoid dumping trees in woods or home compost, and burn greens only as a last resort.
- The advisory highlights elongate hemlock scale, boxwood blight and round leaf bittersweet as key threats and provides the MDA Report a Pest hotline (1‑888‑545‑6684) for suspected infestations.
📊 Relevant Data
Elongate hemlock scale was found on Christmas trees imported into Minnesota between 2018 and 2021, prompting collaborative efforts with the University of Minnesota to monitor and prevent establishment.
Status of Invasive Forest and Landscape Pests in Minnesota — Minnesota Department of Agriculture
Elongate hemlock scale causes needles of hemlocks, firs, and spruces to yellow and prematurely drop, posing a threat to coniferous forests and urban landscapes in Minnesota.
EHS, an invasive insect, has been found on evergreen decorations in Minnesota and Wisconsin — Star Tribune
Boxwood blight results in leaf lesions, leaf drop, stem lesions, and severe dieback, potentially leading to the death of infected boxwood plants in Minnesota.
Boxwood Blight — Minnesota Department of Agriculture
Round leaf bittersweet vines can girdle trees, dominate the canopy, reduce light and moisture for other plants, and cause tree mortality in Minnesota forests.
Round Leaf Bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus) — Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Terrestrial invasive plants and pests cost Minnesotans at least $3 billion annually, threatening food systems, wildlife, and recreation.
$6.23 Million from the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund Fuels Terrestrial Invasive Species Research — Minnesota Invasive Terrestrial Plants and Pests Center
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