Proper disposal of Christmas trees and other plant-based holiday decorations is key to preventing the spread of invasive plants, insects and diseases. / Photo Credit: Central Virginia Waste Management Authority
By Wisconsin DNR
Invasive plants and insects don’t mind playing the long game. After all, they’re just trying to survive and thrive, like the rest of us.
They’ll hang out as part of your holiday decorations throughout the season, just on the chance humans might dispose of them improperly, giving them an opportunity to find a new home in your yard or neighborhood. Their growth and feeding can often harm native trees, native plants and entire ecosystems over time.
For that reason, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reminds people to safely dispose of all wreaths, trees, boughs and other holiday decorations in order to avoid the spread of invasives.
If you obtained any holiday wreaths, swags, boughs or other arrangements, please dispose of them by bagging them tightly and putting them in the trash, or by safely burning them. In this way, a little extra effort can prevent the spread of invasive insects, seeds and spores that can harm your trees and plants and potentially spread to cause problems elsewhere.
Christmas trees are best disposed of using curbside tree collection or drop-off at a designated site. Do not toss trees and greenery into backyard woods or your residential compost pile, which could make the problem worse. A final resort would be to safely burn the greens, following local restrictions.
Items made from trees harvested and acquired near your home should be safe for composting, although crafters are advised to be mindful of using invasive greenery, such as round-leaf bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus), multiflora rose (Rosa multiflora) and various types of teasel (Dipsacus sp.).
Many agricultural products are brought in from other parts of the country during the holidays, and some can carry invasive insects, plants and pathogens that can spread through one of three ways:
- Improper disposal of holiday greenery.
- Moving firewood and wood products.
- Transporting freight, on vehicles and on recreational equipment.
Plants such as round-leaf bittersweet, multiflora rose and teasel can often be found in holiday wreaths or decorations. Insects such as hemlock woolly adelgid (Adelges tsugae) and elongated hemlock scale (Fiorinia externa) pose a risk to Christmas tree fields as well as native and ornamental coniferous trees common to Wisconsin.
The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) has established quarantines for the import of trees and plants to prevent the introduction of invasive insects and plant pathogens. The Wisconsin state legislature has also created Chapter NR 40, a rule categorizing invasive species as prohibited or restricted. It is unlawful to transport, transfer or introduce any species listed under ch. NR 40. Prohibited species have an additional restriction on possession.
The DNR offers more information on invasive species and forest pests. DATCP offers more information on its quarantine regulations.