Dispose of trees smartly

Decorating the house is a much-loved activity during the holidays. “But we don’t want to let those lovely greens bring trouble to our landscape,” says Lori Seele from the Duluth Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area. “Various pests that are not native to our region can hitch a ride on Christmas trees, wreaths, boughs, vines, and plants with colorful fruits and seeds.”

According to the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, the disease dangers include elongate hemlock scale, boxwood blight, Oriental bittersweet, gypsy moth, brown marmorated stink bug, spotted lantern fly, and Japanese maple scale. If the disease or pests are released from improper disposal, “they can potentially wreak havoc on our native plant communities,” Seele said.

Here is how to properly dispose of holiday greenery:

For Christmas trees, use curbside tree collection or bring them to a designated dropoff site. Check with your waste hauler, city, or county to determine what services are offered in your area (or see below).

Do not toss trees and greenery into nearby woods or your home compost pile; that could spread any infestation.

Wreaths and other decorative greens can go into the trash.

Treecycle

Recycle trees at the following dropoff locations:

SAPPI Fine Paper

(Gatehouse Entrance)

East End Ave. B, Cloquet

Though Jan. 17

Moose Lake Compost

(across from city garage)

Moose Lake

Though Jan. 17