Christmas Trees, Wreaths & Decorations May Have Forest Pests

Decorated Christmas TreeCut locally, buy locally, or order online from a reputable business.

You can minimize the chance of introducing a new pest or pathogen by doing one of these three things:

  • Cut your own tree (usually with a permit) from a forest within 10 to 20 miles of your house;
  • Buy your trees and wreaths from an established local business, not from a fly-by-night operator selling on the side of the road; and
  • Order online from a recognized vendor–not from an unknown person on sites like Ebay or Craigslist that may not be in compliance with important quarantines or regulations.

To learn more about government regulations and best practices, visit the USDA APHIS Holiday Greenery page

Dispose of holiday greenery properly.

Many municipalities accept old Christmas trees to use for mulch or composting facilities with curbside or depot pickup after the holiday is over. If that is in your area, it is the best option for all your holiday greenery.

If you don't have a "Christmas Tree Recycling Program" in your area, you are best off disposing of your tree in your area's solid waste facility (usually a landfill). It might not seem like the best idea, but pests and pathogens can escape easily from materials left in a brush heap or compost pile in your backyard–a risk to your trees that you don't want to take!

The 12 Tree Tips of Christmas

  1. Get a real tree, not an artificial one. Real trees are better for the environment, better for the economy, and smell wonderful.
  2. Cut your own tree from a nearby National forest or state land, if possible. Permits are usually inexpensive, and it can be a fun family tradition. 
  3. Get two permits or buy two trees, and donate your extra tree to a local charity, youth home, or non-profit. Make sure to call ahead to find out if they can use it, and what height tree they’d need. 
  4. When buying a real tree from a vendor, make sure they are reputable local dealers. Fly-by-night operators are less likely to comply with state or federal regulations.
  5. Real trees should be healthy- a good tree will have perky bright green needles and springy soft branches.
  6. Live trees will travel best if gently wrapped in a reusable tarp or placed in a large burlap bag. Make sure to tie the tree to your vehicle firmlyly to prevent broken branches.
  7. Christmas trees with root balls rarely survive being transplanted in the dead of winter. Stick with a cut, local, tree for your holiday display- and use the money you save to buy a healthier sapling in springtime!
  8. Make homemade and inexpensive garlands, wreaths, and table arrangements from Christmas tree cuttings and other local materials.  Re-use!
  9. When creating homemade decorations, take care not to use invasive species like Asian bittersweet.
  10. A simple bowl of pine cones can make a free and gorgeous, centerpiece. Collect your cones locally and intersperse a few dry cinnamon sticks to make a fresh, aromatic display.
  11. Dispose of small holiday greenery in your fireplace, the trash, or at a municipal compost facility. Don’t throw them out in a brush pile or your home compost-- they could contain weed seeds or foreign bugs that can infest the trees around your house.
  12. Recycle your Christmas tree whenever possible. Many areas now offer a post-Christmas curbside pickup, and the trees are typically chipped or ground to use in mulch. Look for information specific to your area in your local newspaper.