The Minnesota Department of Agriculture is reminding Minnesotans to properly dispose of their Christmas trees and other holiday greenery to avoid the spread of invasive species.
According to a release, a pest of concern includes the elongate hemlock scale, a small insect from the East Coast where many decorative Fraser firs are grown.
This insect can cause the needles of hemlocks, firs and spruces to yellow and prematurely drop.
Boxwood blight and Oriental bittersweet, sometimes found on wreaths and centerpieces, can also endanger native trees and other landscaping.
Beltrami County’s Solid Waste department says Christmas trees and other greenery can be disposed at a collection box at the Bemidji Transfer Station.
The collection box will be available until about two weeks after Christmas.
Otherwise, greenery and brush can always be dropped off at the Beltrami County Demolition Landfill.
Solid Waste Holiday Hours:
- Both the Bemidji and Blackduck transfer stations will be closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
- The Demolition Landfill will be closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day.
