Quarantine Targets Beetles With Taste for Yule Trees

The Agriculture Department established a quarantine Friday in six Northeastern states to prevent the spread of the pine shoot beetle, an exotic pest with a taste for Christmas trees.

USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service said the quarantine would restrict the movement of pine products from 42 infested counties in Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, Pennsylvania, New York and Indiana.

“This action will significantly reduce the risk of the beetle spreading to other regions of the country while allowing most producers to move their product,” said B. Glen Lee, deputy administrator for the agency’s Plant Protection and Quarantine division.

David Baumann, associate executive director for the National Christmas Tree Assn., said the quarantine should not affect the availability or price of Christmas trees. The 42 counties represent less than 5% of U.S. production, and some counties may have only one infested farm.

The quarantine requires a certificate or limited permit for the movement of pine Christmas trees, nursery stock and bark-covered pine, spruce, larch, and fir logs and lumber, Lee said.

Pine shoot beetles were first discovered in July on a Christmas tree in Lorain County, Ohio. Since then, state and federal officials have been conducting surveys to determine the extent of the infestation.

USDA said most of the beetle finds have been on Christmas tree farms.

The beetle attacks new shoots of pine trees, stunting their growth. Pine shoot beetle is the leading pest of pines in Europe, Lee said.

Lee said the beetles may have originated from wood on freighters in the Great Lakes region. The beetle may have arrived on wood from Europe or Asia that was used to stabilize cargo on the freighters, then was tossed ashore.

The pest prefers Scotch Pine but has been found feeding on Eastern White Pine, Mugo, Austrian, Jack and Red pines. Spruce, larch and fir trees also can be affected.

The pine shoot beetle feeds on trees growing outdoors. USDA said there is no danger to plants or wood products should a beetle get inside a person’s home.