Michigan Officials Warn of Creepy Pests in Christmas Trees

Growing up, one of my favorite Christmas traditions was piling into the car to pick out our tree. We’d haul it home, shake it out a little, and get right to decorating. What we didn’t do? Think twice about what might be hiding in the branches...

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Well, the State of Michigan is urging everyone to slow down and take a closer look. Millions of Christmas trees move around the country every season, and while they bring all the holiday vibes, they can also carry some uninvited “holiday hitchhikers.”

Why Michigan Is Watching Out for Invasive Christmas Tree Pests

Two pests on Michigan’s watch list—balsam woolly adelgid and the spongy moth—aren’t just creepy little tagalongs. They can do real damage if they spread to forests and ecosystems.

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How Balsam Woolly Adelgids Affect Trees and Forests

• Balsam woolly adelgid goes after true firs: balsam, concolor (white), Fraser, the whole lineup. They feed on sap, weaken the tree, cause those swollen “gouted” twigs, and kill branches. Over several years, they can take out a whole tree. And Michigan has a lot at stake: nearly 1.9 billion balsam fir trees in our forests, plus we’re the third-largest Christmas tree–producing state with about 13.5 million firs grown each year. Basically, if these pests spread, they could hit both our wild forests and the Christmas tree farms families rely on.

The Damage Spongy Moths Can Cause

• Spongy moth caterpillars are the leaf-eating chaos gremlins of the forest. They can strip oaks, aspens, and other trees bare, leaving them stressed and wide open to disease. During big outbreaks, you also get the lovely bonus of falling debris and frass raining down from above.

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How to Inspect Your Christmas Tree for Pests

What to watch for on your tree:

• Balsam woolly adelgid — tiny oval insects covered in cottony white fluff that look like little bits of snow stuck to twigs.

• Spongy moth egg masses — tan, fuzzy patches on bark or branches that resemble small sponges. The egg masses can survive during the winter and eventually hatch to become caterpillars, and then adult moths in warmer months.

Reporting and Learning More About Invasive Species

If you spot anything suspicious, Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) wants to hear about it. Report potential infestations at MDA-Info@Michigan.gov or through the Midwest Invasive Species Information Network’s reporting tool.

Curious (or slightly creeped out) and want to learn more? The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) has a full webinar called Holiday Hitchhikers: Unpacking Pests in Christmas Trees.