Nursery Stock Inspection Requirements

General Inspection Requirements

All nursery stock produced in Michigan must be certified by MDARD prior to its sale or movement. A certificate of inspection will be issued for nursery stock that meets inspection requirements, including freedom from insect pests, plant diseases, and regulated weeds. The timing of inspections will be based on the species of nursery stock grown and the life cycle of pests that are known to attack the plants.  Growers must arrange for an inspection of their nursery stock, including herbaceous perennials, by contacting MDARD’s Nursery Specialist, Mike Philip, at 517-284-5649 or at philipm@michigan.gov.

 
Special Inspection Requirements

• All shipments of nursery stock, bulbs, corms, and florist plants must be inspected prior to shipment to foreign countries.
   
• Raspberry and strawberry plants require two inspections during the growing season. Growers of strawberry or raspberry plants that have not had plants inspected the previous year must arrange for inspection by April 1st.
   
• Blueberry plants or scion wood intended for intrastate or interstate shipment must be accompanied by a certificate showing that they are free from stunt virus and other diseases and pests.
   
• Native, wild-grown perennials, shrubs, and trees must be inspected on the premises before being moved to another property. An inspection certificate and a native tree tag issued by MDARD must accompany these plants.
   
• Fruit tree or grape propagating wood sources must be inspected before cuttings are taken. Inspections are made during the growing season. The budwood certification program enables nursery operators to propagate fruit trees from certified scion wood and understock sources.
   
• Growers and dealers intending to ship to other states should familiarize themselves with the requirements of the receiving states.