Shipping Christmas Wreaths and Trees

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Maine shippers should follow these plant health regulations when sending Christmas wreaths and trees. It is not necessary to obtain a Maine Nursery License to sell cut Christmas trees and wreaths, however, a nursery license is required for those selling rooted Christmas trees.

For more information on plant regulations of any state or country, contact the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, Division of Animal and Plant Health at 207-287-3891 or email the Horticulture Program

This list is a summary of the state plant regulations found at www.nationalplantboard.org  

*Some prohibited plant material may be allowed under certain conditions.

Plant Material
Shipping to:
Conditions

General

All Plant Material All locations Clearly mark the outside of all packages with:
  • the contents (ex. 1 balsam fir wreath)
  • the statement "Grown in Maine" and the county of origin
  • the name and address of the shipper
All Plant Material All locations Plant material should be healthy and free of pests
All rooted plant material All locations State certification and nursery license required.
All trees with soil (such as small potted or B & B trees) AK, AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, HI, ID, KS, MS, MT, ND, NM, NV, OK, OR, SD, TX, UT, WA Prohibited* unless certified free of Japanese beetle.

Japanese Beetle Harmonization Plan

All wreaths and trees European and other foreign countries except Canada Prohibited*
All wreaths and trees (cut or rooted) AK, AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, HI, IA, ID, KY, KS, LA, MO, MS, MT, ND, NE, NM, NV, OK, OR, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, WA, WY and parts of IL, IN, MN, NC, OH, VA, WI, WV Inspected and certified free of gypsy moth. Contact Maine's USDA-APHIS-PPQ office at 207-848-0000 for more information
All trees (cut or rooted) Canada Certification required
All wreaths Canada Unrestricted except wreaths containing pine

Greenery

Cedar (Cedrus spp.) WI Prohibited*
Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga spp.) OR Trees & loose branches prenotification required. Wreaths and other manufactured products are unrestricted
Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga spp.) WI Prohibited*
Fir (Abies spp.including balsam fir) MI Trees, wreaths and boughs are allowed from October 15 to January 1
Fir (Abies spp.including balsam fir) OR

Trees and loose branches prenotification required. Wreaths and other manufactured products are unrestricted

Fir (Abies spp.including balsam fir) WI Prohibited*
Hemlock (Tsuga spp) OH, VT, WI and parts of ME Prohibited*
Hemlock (Tsuga spp) MI Trees, wreaths and boughs are allowed from October 15 to December 31
Juniper (Juniperus spp) CA, WI Prohibited*
Pine (Pinus spp) Canada Certfication required
Pine (Pinus spp) CA Wreaths - allowed October 31 to December 31

Trees and loose branches prohibited* Non-commercial shipments of not more than 3 trees are unrestricted.

Pine (Pinus spp) HI Allowed only from October 20 to December 31.
Pine (Pinus spp) MT Inspection and certification required
Pine (Pinus spp) NC Trees - inspection and certification required
Pine (Pinus spp) OR Trees & loose branches prenotification required. Wreaths and other manufactured products are unrestricted
Pine (Pinus spp) WI Prohibited*
Spruce (Picea spp.) WI Prohibited*
Yew (Taxus spp.) WI Prohibited*

Decorations

Chestnuts OR, WA Prohibited*
Citrus AL, AZ, CA, FL, GA, TX Prohibited*
Asiatic bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus) All locations Prohibited
Fruits of: apple, crabapple, hawthorn, Prunus spp, quince, pear AZ, CA, ID, OR, WA Prohibited*
Hazlenuts OR, WA Must be free of twigs and other plant debris
Multiflora rose (Rosa multiflora) All locations Prohibited
Persimmon CA, WA Prohibited*
Rose hips ID Prohibited*
Unhusked nuts of walnut and butternut AZ, CA, TX Prohibited*
Unhusked nuts of pecan and hickory AZ, CA, NM, TX Prohibited*

Updated 11/2023