By Andi Anderson
Michigan officials are warning residents to check their Christmas trees for signs of invasive pests that could threaten both the state’s forests and its $45 million Christmas tree industry. These insects often hide inside trees and can spread quickly if not detected early.
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy is urging people to look closely at their trees before bringing them indoors.
Invasive species such as the balsam woolly adelgid and spongy moth can weaken trees by feeding on them, causing leaf loss, branch damage, and eventually tree death.
The balsam woolly adelgid is a sap-feeding insect originally from Europe. It appears as small white, cotton-like tufts on the base of fir tree trunks. This pest targets true firs, including popular Christmas tree varieties.
According to the state’s Invasive Species Program, an infestation could harm the industry and threaten nearly two billion fir trees growing in Michigan forests.
Invasive Species Coordinator Lindsay Patrick explained that once a tree is infected, there is no way to cure it. “Infested trees have to be removed, have to be killed, cut down or treated with herbicide,” Patrick said. “We don’t have any way of curing BWA on the trees.”
The impact of this pest has already been seen in other parts of the country. In Great Smoky Mountains National Park, 95% of Fraser firs have been killed by the insect, demonstrating how devastating it can be when left unchecked.
Michigan officials encourage residents to inspect trees carefully by checking trunk bases, branches, and needles for unusual white tufts or other signs of insects. Reporting suspected infestations can also help prevent these pests from spreading into new areas.
By staying alert and taking simple precautionary steps, residents can help protect Michigan’s forests, Christmas tree farms, and the wildlife and communities that depend on healthy ecosystems.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-shotbydave
Categories: Michigan, Rural Lifestyle