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Spongy Moth Certification

Spongy Moth Certification

  • What is my responsibility, as a Christmas tree grower, in shipping cut trees out of Michigan?

    You must ensure that no life stages of spongy moth (or other state-regulated pests) are present on the materials you ship outside of Michigan. The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) can assist with certification for shipment to your destination state or country, where possible, however this effort requires cooperation between the grower and the department.

    During the growing season, scout your land and surrounding areas and check for any signs of spongy moth or other pests. During the fall and winter, check thoroughly for spongy moth egg masses. If there is any indication of spongy moth life stages present in the vicinity of your Christmas tree field, an approved insecticide treatment must be applied during the effective treatment window (see #3). Treatment must always be done according to pesticide label instructions.

    Be aware that pest interceptions on seasonal forest products in other states or countries could put the Michigan Christmas tree industry at risk.

  • I sometimes hear about changes in the certification process and MDARD requirements. How can I obtain clarification?

    Make sure that you completely review all correspondence from MDARD. Additional information to guide you through the certification process can be found on MDARD’s Christmas Tree Inspection and Certification web page.

    If you have a question, contact Quarantine Compliance & Export Specialist Amber Neils at NeilsA@Michigan.gov or 517-449-0786.

  • When should I spray my Christmas trees?

    Successful pesticide application is dependent on the timing of the treatment, frequently called a "spray window.” This is the time when the target insect pest is most susceptible to a pesticide application. Information on proper timing of pesticide applications can be obtained through the MSU Extension Christmas tree web page or the MSU Enviro-weather website at enviroweather.msu.edu.  

  • Should I spray a buffer around my field?

    If your field borders a prime spongy moth habitat (apple, aspen, oak, willow, etc.), you may want to consider treating it if you own it or have permission from the landowner. Minimizing pest pressure increases the chance of successful certification. If five or more egg masses are found within 100 feet of the field, the entire field will be restricted from movement outside the quarantine area.


  • Which pesticide(s) should I use?

    MDARD works closely with the USDA and MSU to determine which pesticide treatments will be acceptable for certification. The treatment requirements are based on inspection results from the previous year. For previously unrestricted fields, any of the several pesticides that are labeled for use on Christmas trees may be used as a preventative treatment. For previously restricted fields, growers should consult the list of USDA-approved regulatory treatments for spongy moth. This list is updated yearly and is available on MSU's spongy moth treatment website. NOTE: Some pesticides have a Special Local Needs (SLN) label that the user must obtain prior to using the product. Make sure the SLN label is current.

  • I only plan to ship Christmas trees within Michigan. Do I need to participate in the certification program?

    No. Christmas trees shipped within Michigan do not need to be certified. Please note that if trees are brokered, certification may be required for their final destination, and this may require MDARD field inspections prior to harvest. Communicate these plans to MDARD early and keep the department in the loop to assist.


  • Why do I need to submit the required applications by July 31 if I don't yet know which trees will be sold and shipped out of state?

    Each year, MDARD must process a large volume of paperwork and organize its inspection personnel within short window of time for inspection. Timely submission on the grower’s part allows MDARD inspectors to begin field work early enough to avoid delays in getting proper certification to growers. MDARD realizes that some field inspection requests are submitted on a speculative basis. Keep in touch with your district inspector or the other MDARD contacts to report any changes.


  • When will the MDARD inspectors inspect my trees?

    Inspectors usually begin fieldwork in mid-August, following the completion of egg deposition. You may contact your district inspector or Amber Neils, Quarantine Compliance & Export Specialist, at 517-449-0786 or NeilsA@Michigan.gov. 

  • Will I be notified of the pass/fail status of my trees?

    Due to the large number of fields inspected, it is difficult for MDARD to notify each grower immediately after field inspections. If your fields pass inspection, you will receive the certification paperwork from the district inspector with details about which fields were passed and which were restricted, if any. You will receive this certification document via email, if provided, or in the mail if no email address was provided. 

  • If I spray my trees and egg masses are still found, can I ship these trees out-of-state?

    No. If viable egg masses are found, the trees in that field cannot be shipped to areas outside of the federal quarantine area (see map of quarantined areas).

  • If live egg masses are found in my spruce/fir/Douglas-fir field, why does the entire field need to be restricted? Why isn't the same true for pine?

    Research has shown that spongy moth can complete their entire life cycle on spruce, fir, and Douglas-fir. This requires stricter field tolerances than in pine, where this pest is unable to complete an entire life cycle.

  • Are the larvae harmful to my Christmas trees? Why the concern about egg masses?

    Spongy moth larvae will feed on some species of Christmas trees; however, the most serious problem is that egg masses can hitchhike on these trees and then hatch at their destinations. Each egg mass can contain 100-400 individual eggs. This potential threat is of great concern for forests worldwide, and especially to other states not yet infested. Preventing a pest from entering a new area is the most effective way to control the spread of invasive species.

  • How can I be certain that my certified cut tree shipments will move to the planned destinations without problem?

    Complete and use the certificates provided by your MDARD district inspector as instructed. Provide a certificate for each drop, so that the receiver will have a document to support compliance with the quarantine. Use only the certificates which have been issued to you for your use. If you need more certificates, contact your MDARD district inspector or Quarantine Compliance & Export Specialist, Amber Neils at NeilsA@Michigan.gov or 517-449-0786. 

  • I plan to donate Christmas trees. What should I do if those trees might be moved outside a federal or state plant pest quarantine area?

    Donated trees are still regulated articles, and they may require certification before being moved out of Michigan. If your donated trees could be transported outside the federal spongy moth quarantine area, or into states with other quarantines such as European pine shoot moth (e.g., Montana or California) or elongate hemlock scale (e.g., Wisconsin)—please contact MDARD-NurseryCE@michgian.gov or visit MDARD’s Christmas Tree Inspection web page to complete a Compliance Agreement and a Field Application for Spongy Moth Certification. This helps ensure that donated trees meet all regulatory requirements before shipment.

  • How much pesticide should I apply?

    Any pesticide application must be in accordance with the label using the maximum labeled rate. 

  • Is it possible to have some blocks of trees restricted for spongy moth and others certified on the same farm?

    When MDARD restricts a block of trees, other blocks may still be certified if they meet all the following criteria:

    •        Were submitted on a separate field application
    •        Are free of spongy moth
    •        Are located a substantial distance away from the restricted block

      On the field application, blocks must be distinct, with substantial separation such as:

    •        A woodlot, or
    •        Several cut‑over rows

    Pine species:

    •        Partial blocks more than 100 ft from an identified egg mass may be certified.

      Spruce, fir, and Douglas fir:

    •        Partial blocks may qualify under the New Perimeter Protocol.
    •        Applies when egg masses are found adjacent to blocks but not within them.

    To see if you qualify, contact your MDARD district inspector or the Quarantine Compliance & Export Specialist, Amber Neils at NeilsA@Michigan.gov or 517-449-0786. 

  • If an egg mass is found in my field, can an intensive inspection pass the remaining trees?

    If one egg mass is found, the likelihood of more egg masses being present in the field is high. It is extremely difficult to locate egg masses in Christmas trees. MDARD cannot guarantee that the remaining trees are completely free of egg masses. A 100% visual inspection is possible but may be slow and costly to the grower.

  • Who can I contact if questions come up during the process?

     Contact your MDARD district inspector or the Export and Quarantine Program Specialist, Amber Neils at 517-449-0786 or by email at NeilsA@Michigan.gov.