Dispose of greenery and trees properly

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is asking residents to properly dispose of greenery and trees after the holiday season.

The MDA inspects holiday products for elongate hemlock scale, boxwood blight, Oriental bittersweet, gypsy moth, and more.

These diseases, pests, and plants can easily hitchhike into and around Minnesota. The biggest concern this season is elongate hemlock scale.

The MDA has been working with suppliers and sellers in Minnesota to remove trees, wreaths, and other greenery infested with elongate hemlock scale from sale.

This scale is not known to occur in the state, and there are concerns it could become a problem for Minnesota Christmas tree producers, nurseries, and local forests.

If you know your Christmas tree and greenery are not from Minnesota or are unsure where it originated, do your part when the holiday season is over to protect our environment from a variety of pests and diseases.

Follow this advice:

•Do not toss trees and greenery into backyard woods or your compost pile.

•Use a city or county organized tree and greenery pick-up or drop-off.

•If your city or county does not have an organized pick-up or drop-off, burn the greens.

•Always check with local ordinances first and follow them. If you suspect your greenery or tree may be infested with an invasive insect or disease, contact the MDA’s Arrest the Pest line at 1-888-545-6684.