Shipping Christmas Wreaths and Trees

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Maine shippers should keep the following regulations in mind before sending Christmas wreaths and trees. It is not necessary to obtain a Maine nursery stock 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 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 trees (cut or rooted) Canada Certification required
All 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, ME, MN, NC, OH, VA, WI, WV

Inspection and certification that the plants are free of gypsy moth.

Plants grown in northern portions of Aroostook, Franklin, Oxford, Penobscot, Piscataquis and Somerset Counties do not require gypsy moth certification. Maine Gypsy Moth Quarantine Area
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, NE, NM, NV, OK, OR, SD, TX, UT, WA

Prohibited* unless treated and certified free of Japanese beetle.

Japanese Beetle Harmonization Plan
All wreaths and trees European and other countries except Canada Prohibited*
All wreaths Canada

Unrestricted

Greenery
Fir (Abies spp.including balsam fir) MI Holiday greenery containing fir is allowed only from October 15 to January 1
Hemlock (Tsuga spp) MI, OH, VT, WI and parts of ME Prohibited*
Juniper (Juniperus spp) CA Prohibited*
Pine (Pinus spp) Canada Certification required except for branches manufactured into wreaths and garlands
Pine (Pinus spp CA, HI, MT

Wreaths and Garlands - allowed October 31 to December 31

Trees to California - non-commercial shipments of no more than 3 trees

Montana - Inspection and certification required

Pine (Pinus spp.)

 

 AK, AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, DE, FL, GA, HI, ID, KY, KS, LA, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NM, NV, OK, OR, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, WA, WY and parts of ME, MO, NY, VA

Trees and branches - inspection and certification for pine shoot beetle. Plants grown in Aroostook and Washington Counties are unrestricted

Wreath and Garlands - Unrestricted

Decorations

Chestnuts

OR, WA

Prohibited*
Citrus AL, AZ, CA, FL, HI, TX 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
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 9/2018