Beware pests in holiday greenery

Holiday greenery and Christmas trees bring joy throughout the season, but they can also hide dangerous hitchhikers. Diseases and invasive species can make their way into our landscapes on trees and boughs brought into Minnesota from other states.

To protect the environment, the state of Minnesota is asking residents to properly dispose of greenery and trees after the holiday season. The best option is to bring trees to a designated dropoff site. After removing ornaments, lights, stands and bags, Carlton County residents can dispose of trees and some other greenery through Jan. 16 by bringing them to the Sappi Cloquet Mill, 2201 Avenue B (Gatehouse entrance), or the Moose Lake compost site, across from the city garage.