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 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 trees (cut or rooted) Canada Certification required
All wreaths and 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, MN, NC, OH, VA, WI, WV Inspected and certified free of gypsy moth.

Wreaths made with branches less than 1/2 inch in diameter are unrestricted.
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. Except those containing pine. See below.

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.

 

Wreaths made with branches less than 1/2 inch in diameter are unrestricted.
Pine (Pinus spp) CA Wreaths - allowed October 31 to December 31

Trees and loose branches prohibited* Non-commercial shipments of not more than 3 cut 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.) AK, AL, AR, AZ, CO, DE, FL, GA, ID, KY, KS, LA, MS, 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 unless shipped to CA, HI, or MT

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 9/2020