W
hile there are many Christmas
tree farms in Nebraska, a large
number of the cut Christmas trees sold
here are grown and harvested in other
states such as Minnesota, Wisconsin
and Michigan. Some of these states are
under federal quarantine for plant pests
that can travel on Christmas trees.
Inspectors with the Nebraska
Department of Agriculture (NDA) visit
Christmas tree sales lots across the
state in November and December to
ensure all federal quarantines are being
followed. The inspectors verify that
the trees were properly inspected and
certified prior to shipment to Nebraska,
and also inspect the Christmas trees to
confirm that no quarantine pests are
present.
The quarantine pests of most concern
are gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar) and
pine shoot beetle (Tomicus piniperda).
Neither is currently found in Nebraska.
Gypsy moth is
present from the
New England states
west, to parts of
Wisconsin and
Illinois. This moth
lays egg masses
on the trunks of
trees, including
Christmas trees.
The eggs hatch out in the spring, and
the caterpillars feed on deciduous plant
foliage. The loss of foliage weakens the
trees and over time can result in tree
death.
To prevent its establishment in
Nebraska, NDA monitors for gypsy
moth through inspections of nursery
stock and firewood, in addition to
Christmas trees, and conducts an
annual statewide trapping program.
Pine shoot beetle is a small beetle
that can infest all species of pine trees,
including Christmas trees. Adults can
overwinter in twigs, or near the base
of the tree. This
pest can be found
from the New
England states
west to Minnesota
and Iowa. NDA
inspectors check
nursery stock and
Christmas trees
to monitor for the
presence of pine shoot beetle.
If you purchase a Christmas tree that
was not grown in Nebraska, make sure
to dispose of it properly. Christmas tree
recycling sites that chip or burn the
trees are an excellent means of disposal
and reduce the risk of any unwanted
pests emerging from the trees and
becoming established in Nebraska.
The risk of either of these pests
emerging while the Christmas tree is
in the house is virtually non-existent.
There is also no concern of these pests
causing damage to the home itself or
threatening human health. ■
By Julie Van Meter
State Entomologist, Nebraska
Department of Agriculture
Presented by
Gypsy moth egg
mass.
PHOTO COURTESY OF
FERENC LAKATOS,
UNIVERSITY OF SOPRON,
BUGWOOD.ORG
Larger pine shoot
beetle.
PHOTO COURTESY OF
E. RICHARD HOEBEKE,
CORNELL UNIVERSITY,
BUGWOOD.ORG
DECEMBER 2017 • NEBRASKAland 21
O Christmas Tree!
