WAUKESHA COUNTY -- Waukesha County officials are encouraging residents to burn or bag and landfill their natural evergreen trees, wreaths, swags and other holiday decorations with foliage after highly invasive beetles were found on many items sold at large chain stores in Wisconsin this holiday season.
According to a press release, state tree inspectors found an insect called elongate hemlock scale, or EHS. EHS saps nutrients as it feeds on the underside of conifer needles, and threatens Wisconsin’s Christmas tree farms, native hemlock and balsam fir forests, and ornamental conifers in yards and parks.
“When it’s time to dispose of your live evergreen holiday decor, don’t put them on the compost pile or set the greens out for brush collection. Burn them if you can. If you can’t do that, bag them and send them to the landfill,” advised Brian Kuhn, director of the Plant Industry Bureau in the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection. “EHS has survived in the northeastern U.S., so winter weather will not kill it. As a result, if you compost this material, the insects may well attack conifers in your yard or neighborhood, and spread from there.”
Residents should check with their local municipality regarding burning regulations.
For more information about elongate hemlock scale, visit: https://datcp.wi.gov/Pages/Programs_Services/EHS.aspx
Waukesha County officials said the following about elongate hemlock scale: