WASHINGTON STATE.-The holidays are now here and many people will start bringing home their Christmas trees this weekend. The Washington State Department of Agriculture is warning people to be careful to not bring pests home with their perfect tree this year.
While the WSDA recommends buying a Washington or Pacific Northwest grown Christmas tree from a licensed grower many people do head into the mountains to cut down their own tree.
For those cutting down their own tree this year a quick inspection of the tree before cutting could keep invasive species, such as masses of invasive spongy moth egg masses, from being transported.
Anyone who thinks they found an invasive pest on their tree should report it and send a picture to the WSDA at 1-800-443-6684 or pestprogram@agr.wa.gov.
According to the WSDA, invasive spongy moth egg masses are light brown and fuzzy and are usually found at the base of a tree.