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Federal agency warns of wood-eating insects in artificial Christmas trees

TORONTO (CP) - Two brands of artificial Christmas trees may be infested with a type of wood-eating insect, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency warned Thursday.
The trees, exported to Canada and the United States by China-based manufacturer Polytree Hong Kong, are sold under the brand name Dakota Alpine Christmas tree or Cascades Prelit Alpine Christmas tree, said agency spokesman Alain Charette.

The trunks of the trees are made of natural wood from China that was "improperly treated," he said.
In some cases, live bugs were found in trees exported to the United States.
The brown fir longhorned beetle, which munches on evergreens in China, would have no natural predator in Canada and could cause "extensive damage," Charette said.
"We don't have a full picture of where (the trees were) sent," he said in an interview from Ottawa. "We know at least Ontario all the way to B.C., but possibly other places."
Charette advised those who bought such trees to return them to the retailer, who can contact the agency.
But "there is no immediate need to do it tomorrow," he said, adding that consumers should not dispose of the trees through regular garbage pickup, where they could end up in a landfill.

If live or dead insects are found, the agency advises consumers to put them in a plastic bag, put them in the freezer, and contact the agency.
The insects pose no danger to humans, Charette said.
Source

EEK! I thought we only got cheap plastic stuff from China...???

The eastern chestnut tree is almost extinct due to a fungus or something s accidentally imported from china around 1910. No more chestnuts roasting on an open fire. Ditto for American Elms. Gypsy moths, African bees, etc, etc.

Incidentally, we export tons and tons of raw wood to china and other places all over the world. Pennsylvania Oak and cherry are very popular for furniture, etc. You buy something made of wood in china, there's a good chance the wood came from around here. It's a BIG business here. And it's a renewable and sustainable resource too.

coriolis wrote:You buy something made of wood in china, there's a good chance the wood came from around here. It's a BIG business here. And it's a renewable and sustainable resource too.

That's true of most of the stuff that's imported from China. We send them our raw materials; they send it back in finished goods.

We did buy our first ever fake tree, but for the basement. Good thing it's not made of wood! But I've seen these trees on display or ones very similar to them.

Mary