PAW PAW — The holiday season brings all kind of greenery into the home, from wreaths to garland to the centerpiece tree.

But those boughs could bring along a number of uninvited guests who, like the worst kind of holiday party goers, cause a whole host of problems.

Forests pests, which can hurt native tree species in the wild, can enter Michigan on out-of-state Christmas trees, and infect local forests.

In order to stop the spread of these insects, diseases, and fungi, the SWxSW Corner CISMA encourages citizens to buy trees from Michigan’s local tree farms or dealers.

Insects like the balsam woolly adelgid, or fungi like spruce decline, could enter the state on imported plants, infecting the state’s native trees after the festivities have ended. Michigan’s trees are used to some pests, but these new ones are those local trees have no defense against.

Luckily, Michigan has no shortage of pines, spruces, and firs this time of year. With more than 20 Christmas tree providers in the southwest Michigan area, there are plenty to choose from, officals said.

“Avoid informal or unfamiliar pop-up tree lots,” said a representative with the SWxSW Corner CISMA, an invasive species education organization working out of local conservation districts. “They’re much less likely to understand the best practices and rules about moving trees and other products, including new quarantines. Instead, head to a recognizable business, tree lot, or Christmas tree farm. Many offer u-cut choices, while some also have pre-cut pick up options, either way creating a wonderful holiday tradition for the whole family.”

The Southwest X Southwest Corner Collaborative Invasive Species Management Area is a grant-funded program to manage invasive species in Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren counties. With funding from the Michigan Invasive Species Grant Program, the CISMA aims to help landowners and stakeholders in the Southwest Michigan area manage invasive species.

People with questions on invasive species should contact their CISMA representative at their local conservation district. The following are contacts for the SWxSW Corner Counties: Berrien, (269) 471-9111, ext. 3; Cass, (269) 445-8641, ext. 5; and Van Buren, (269)657-4030, ext. 5; or email photos and address or latitude/longitude of possible or identified invasive species to: eleanor.serocki@macd.org.