Christmas Tree Growers

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Shipping or Exporting Christmas Trees

Wisconsin Christmas Tree Producers Association, www.christmastrees-wi.org/contact.html, 608-742-8663

Brooke Sanneh, Christmas Tree program manager, brooke.sanneh@wisconsin.gov, 920-232-5605

Christmas Tree Pests and Diseases

The information here focuses on newer pests -- including insects, mites and diseases -- for which management information has been difficult to find. It supplements existing resources like the USDA Forest Service's Christmas Tree Pest Manual. Just click on the + sign in front of the species name to open complete information about pests for that species.

Many of the recommendations here include use of pesticides. Although this information should be up to date, labels and product registrations do change frequently. If any of the information here conflicts with that on pesticide labels, you must follow the label.

Other helpful resources:

University of Wisconsin Plant Disease Diagnostics Clinic, Dr. Brian Hudelson, 608-262-2863

Wisconsin Pest Survey grower participation

Wisconsin Pest Bulletin

2011 Christmas Tree Survey for New Phytophthora Root Rot Diseases

Balsam Fir

Pest Name	Scientific Name	Resource Link(s)
Armillaria Root Rot	Armillaria	Armillaria Root Rot, and then scroll down the page to the specific pest of interest.
Balsam Fir Needle Rust	Uredinopsis spp.	Balsam Fir Needle Rust, and then scroll down the page to the specific pest of interest.
Balsam Gall Midge	Paradiplosis tumifex	Balsam Gall Midge (USDA), and then scroll down the page to the specific pest of interest. Balsam Gall Midge (Vermont)
Balsam Twig Aphid	Mindarus abietinus	Balsam Twig Aphid (USDA), and then scroll down the page to the specific pest of interest. Balsam Twig Aphid (Minnesota) Balsam Twig Aphid (Massachusetts -Amherst), and then scroll down the page to the specific pest of interest.
Broom Rust of Fir	Melampsorella caryophyllacearum	Broom Rust of Fir, and then scroll down the page to the specific pest of interest.
Delphinella Shoot Blight	Delphinella abietis	Delphinella Shoot Blight (Wisconsin DNR), and then scroll down the page to the specific pest of interest. Delphinella Shoot Blight (Vermont), and then scroll down the page to the specific pest of interest.
Lirula Needlecast of Fir	Lirula nervata or Lirula mirabilis	Lirula Needlecast of Fir, and then scroll down the page to the specific pest of interest.
Mound Ant		Mound Ant
Phomopsis Shoot Blight	Phomopsis Abies	Phomopsis Shoot Blight, and then scroll down the page to the specific pest of interest.
Phytophthora Root Rot	Phytophthora spp.	Phytophthora Root Rot
Rhizosphaera Needle Blight of Fir	Rhizosphaera pini	Rhizosphaera Needle Blight of Fir, and then scroll down the page to the specific pest of interest.
Spruce Spider Mites	Oligonychus ununguis	Spruce Spider Mites (USDA), and then scroll down the page to the specific pest of interest. Spruce Spider Mites (Minnesota)
White Grubs	Phyllophaga	White Grubs, and then scroll down the page to the specific pest of interest.

Blue Spruce

Pest Name	Scientific Name	Resource Link(s)
Armillaria Root Rot	Armillaria	Armillaria Root Rot, and then scroll down the page to the specific pest of interest.
Cooley Spruce Gall Adelgid	Adelges cooleyi	Cooley Spruce Gall Adelgid (USDA), and then scroll down the page to the specific pest of interest. Cooley Spruce Gall Adelgid (Minnesota)
Phytophthora Root Rot	Phytophthora spp.	Phytophthora Root Rot
Rhizosphaera Needlecast of Spruce	Rhizosphaera kalkhoffii	Rhizosphaera Needlecast of Spruce (USDA), and then scroll down the page to the specific pest of interest. Rhizosphaera Needlecast of Spruce (Minnesota)
Spruce Needleminers	Endothenia albolineana or Epinotia nanana	Spruce Needleminers, and then scroll down the page to the specific pest of interest.
Spruce Spider Mites	Oligonychus ununguis	Spruce Spider Mites (USDA), and then scroll down the page to the specific pest of interest. Spruce Spider Mites (Minnesota)
Stigmina Needlecast	Stigmina lautii	Stigmina Needlecast
Weir’s Cushion Rust	Chrysomyxa weirii	Weir’s Cushion Rust
White Grubs	Phyllophaga	White Grubs, and then scroll down the page to the specific pest of interest.
White Pine Weevil	Pissodes strobi	White Pine Weevil (USDA), and then scroll down the page to the specific pest of interest. White Pine Weevil (Minnesota)

Concolor Fir

Pest Name	Scientific Name	Resource Link(s)
Armillaria Root Rot	Armillaria	Armillaria Root Rot, and then scroll down the page to the specific pest of interest.
Delphinella Shoot Blight	Delphinella abietis	Delphinella Shoot Blight (Wisconsin DNR), and then scroll down the page to the specific pest of interest. Delphinella Shoot Blight (Vermont), and then scroll down the page to the specific pest of interest.
Phytophthora Root Rot	Phytophthora spp.	Phytophthora Root Rot
White Grubs	Phyllophaga	White Grubs, and then scroll down the page to the specific pest of interest.

Douglas Fir

Pest Name	Scientific Name	Resource Link(s)
Armillaria Root Rot	Armillaria	Armillaria Root Rot, and then scroll down the page to the specific pest of interest.
Phytophthora Root Rot	Phytophthora spp.	Phytophthora Root Rot
Rhabdocline Needlecast	Rhabdocline pseudotsugae	Rhabdocline Needlecast, and then scroll down the page to the specific pest of interest.
Swiss Needlecast	Phaeocryptopus gäumanni	Swiss Needlecast, and then scroll down the page to the specific pest of interest.
White Grubs	Phyllophaga	White Grubs, and then scroll down the page to the specific pest of interest.

Fraser Fir

Pest Name	Scientific Name	Resource Link(s)
Armillaria Root Rot	Armillaria	Armillaria Root Rot, and then scroll down the page to the specific pest of interest.
Balsam Gall Midge	Paradiplosis tumifex	Balsam Gall Midge (USDA), and then scroll down the page to the specific pest of interest. Balsam Gall Midge (Vermont)
Balsam Twig Aphid	Mindarus abietinus	Balsam Twig Aphid (USDA), and then scroll down the page to the specific pest of interest. Balsam Twig Aphid (Minnesota) Balsam Twig Aphid (Massachusetts-Amherst), and then scroll down the page to the specific pest of interest.
Broom Rust of Fir	Melampsorella caryophyllacearum	Broom Rust of Fir, and then scroll down the page to the specific pest of interest.
Conifer Root Aphid	Prociphilus americanus	Conifer Root Aphid
Phytophthora Root Rot	Phytophthora spp.	Phytophthora Root Rot
Rhizosphaera Needle Blight of Fir	Rhizosphaera pini	Rhizosphaera Needle Blight of Fir, and then scroll down the page to the specific pest of interest.
Spruce Spider Mite	Oligonychus ununguis	Spruce Spider Mites (USDA), and then scroll down the page to the specific pest of interest. Spruce Spider Mites (Minnesota)
White Grubs	Phyllophaga	White Grubs, and then scroll down the page to the specific pest of interest.

Scotch Pine

Pest Name	Scientific Name	Resource Link(s)
Armillaria Root Rot	Armillaria	Armillaria Root Rot, and then scroll down the page to the specific pest of interest.
Brown Spot Needle Blight	Mycosphaerella dearnessii	Brown Spot Needle Blight, and then scroll down the page to the specific pest of interest.
Cyclaneusma Needlecast	Cyclaneusma minus	Cyclaneusma Needlecast, and then scroll down the page to the specific pest of interest.
Eastern Pine Gall Rust	Cronartium quercuum	Eastern Gall Rust, and then scroll down the page to the specific pest of interest.
European Pine Shoot Moth	Rhyacionia buoliana	European Pine Shoot Moth (USDA), and then scroll down the page to the specific pest of interest. European Pine Shoot Moth (Minnesota)
Lophodermium Needle Cast	Lophodermium seditiosum	Lophodermium Needle Cast, and then scroll down the page to the specific pest of interest.
Phytophthora Root Rot	Phytophthora spp.	Phytophthora Root Rot
Pine Needle Rust	Coleosporium asterum	Pine Needle Rust (USDA), and then scroll down the page to the specific pest of interest. Pine Needle Rust (North Dakota State), and then scroll down the page to the specific pest of interest.
Pine Needle Scale	Chionaspis pinifoliae	Pine Needle Scale (USDA), and then scroll down the page to the specific pest of interest. Pine Needle Scale (Minnesota) Pine Needle Scale (Ohio State)
Pine Root Collar Weevil	Hylobius radicis	Pine Root Collar Weevil (USDA), and then scroll down the page to the specific pest of interest. Pine Root Collar Weevil (Minnesota) Pine Root Collar Weevil (Michigan State)
Pine Shoot Beetle	Tomicus piniperda	Pine Shoot Beetle (USDA), and then scroll down the page to the specific pest of interest. Pine Shoot Beetle (Minnesota)
Pine Tortoise Scale	Toumeyella parvicornis	Pine Tortoise Scale (USDA), and then scroll down the page to the specific pest of interest. Pine Tortoise Scale (Cornell)
Sphaeropsis Shoot Blight	Sphaeropsis sapinea	Sphaeropsis Shoot Blight, and then scroll down the page to the specific pest of interest.
Spittlebug	Aphrophora parallela	Spittlebug (USDA), and then scroll down the page to the specific pest of interest. Spittlebug (Minnesota)
Western Pine Gall Rust	Endocronartium harknessii	Western Pine Gall Rust (USDA), and then scroll down the page to the specific pest of interest. Western Pine Gall Rust (Purdue)
White Grubs	Phyllophaga	White Grubs, and then scroll down the page to the specific pest of interest.
Zimmerman Pine Moth	Dioryctria zimmermani	Zimmerman Pine Moth (USDA), and then scroll down the page to the specific pest of interest. Zimmerman Pine Moth (Minnesota)

White Pine

Pest Name	Scientific Name	Resource Link(s)
Armillaria Root Rot	Armillaria	Armillaria Root Rot, and then scroll down the page to the specific pest of interest.
Introduced Pine Sawfly Larvae	Diprion similis	Introduced Pine Sawfly Larvae (USDA), and then scroll down the page to the specific pest of interest. Introduced Pine Sawfly Larvae (Minnesota)
Pales Weevil	Hylobius pales	Pales Weevil (USDA), and then scroll down the page to the specific pest of interest. Pales Weevil (Minnesota) Pales Weevil (USDA2)
Phytophthora Root Rot	Phytophthora spp.	Phytophthora Root Rot
Pine Leaf Adelgids	Pineus pinifoliae	Pine Leaf Adelgids
Pine Needle Rust	Coleosporium asterum	Pine Needle Rust (USDA), and then scroll down the page to the specific pest of interest. Pine Needle Rust (North Dakota)
Pine Shoot Beetle	Tomicus piniperda	Pine Shoot Beetle (USDA), and then scroll down the page to the specific pest of interest. Pine Shoot Beetle (Minnesota)
Pitch Mass Midge	Cecidomyia resincola	Pitch Mass Midge
White Grubs	Phyllophaga	White Grubs, and then scroll down the page to the specific pest of interest.
White Pine Bark Aphid	Pineus strobi	White Pine Bark Aphid (USDA), and then scroll down the page to the specific pest of interest. White Pine Bark Aphid (Minnesota)
White Pine Blister Rust	Cronartium ribicola	White Pine Blister Rust (USDA), and then scroll down the page to the specific pest of interest. White Pine Blister Rust (Illinois)
White Pine Weevil	Pissodes strobi	White Pine Weevil (USDA), and then scroll down the page to the specific pest of interest. White Pine Weevil (Minnesota)

White Spruce

Pest Name	Scientific Name	Resource Link(s)
Armillaria Root Rot	Armillaria	Armillaria Root Rot, and then scroll down the page to the specific pest of interest.
Cooley Spruce Gall Adelgid	Adelges cooleyi	Cooley Spruce Gall Adelgid (USDA), and then scroll down the page to the specific pest of interest. Cooley Spruce Gall Adelgid (Minnesota)
Eastern Spruce Gall Adelgid	Adelges abietis	Eastern Spruce Gall Adelgid (USDA), and then scroll down the page to the specific pest of interest. Eastern Spruce Gall Adelgid (Minnesota)
Lirula Needlecast of Spruce	Lirula macrospora	Lirula Needlecast of Spruce (USDA) Lirula Needlecast of Spruce (Minnesota)
Phytophthora Root Rot	Phytophthora spp.	Phytophthora Root Rot
Rhizosphaera Needlecast of Spruce	Rhizosphaera kalkhoffii	Rhizosphaera Needlecast of Spruce (USDA), and then scroll down the page to the specific pest of interest. Rhizosphaera Needlecast of Spruce (Minnesota)
Spruce Gall Midge	Mayetiola piceae	Spruce Gall Midge (Minnesota DNR) Spruce Gall Midge (Michigan State)
Spruce Needleminers	Endothenia albolineana and Epinotia nanana	Spruce Needleminers, and then scroll down the page to the specific pest of interest.
Spruce Sawfly Larvae (Yellowheaded Spruce Sawfly)	Pikonema alaskensis	Yellowheaded Spruce Sawfly
Spruce Spider Mites	Oligonychus ununguis	Spruce Spider Mites (USDA), and then scroll down the page to the specific pest of interest. Spruce Spider Mites (Minnesota)
Sudden Needle Drop (Sneed)	Setomelanomma holmii	Sudden Needle Drop
White Grubs	Phyllophaga	White Grubs, and then scroll down the page to the specific pest of interest.
White Pine Weevil	Pissodes strobi	White Pine Weevil (USDA), and then scroll down the page to the specific pest of interest. White Pine Weevil (Minnesota)

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Wisconsin farms produce milk, livestock, grain, vegetables, poultry and many other agricultural products.

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DATCP provides services to educate, regulate and protect our land and water resources.

DATCP works to protect plants and crops from harmful insects and disease.

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Christmas Tree Growers

Christmas Tree Pests and Diseases

Balsam Fir

Blue Spruce

Concolor Fir

Douglas Fir

Fraser Fir

Scotch Pine

White Pine

White Spruce

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