The state is now limiting the movement of certain tree species in Benzie, Manistee, and Washtenaw counties to prevent the spread of an invasive insect.
The decision expands an existing quarantine, in an effort to protect Michigan’s 170 million hemlock trees.
The tiny, sap-sucking hemlock woolly adelgid can kill a hemlock tree within 4-10 years. Until recently, its range was limited to counties along Lake Michigan, but now it’s moved further north and into the southeast part of the state.
Jennifer Holton is with the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. She said a quarantine is one of the most important control strategies for invasive species.
“This is an expansion with some newly identified infestations. Think of it like a border," Holton said. "We will be working with our nursery growers to identify those exceptions and provide them with the proper paperwork and steps to take.”
Holton said the quarantine mainly affects nursery growers, but it applies to residents as well.
“If you want to take some of your hemlock... and transplant it, you can’t, if you’re in those quarantined areas,” Holton said.
Holton said residents should report adelgid sightings to the state. Infested hemlocks typically have white, cotton-like masses under their needles.
With the additions, the updated quarantine now covers Allegan, Mason, Muskegon, Oceana, and Ottawa counties.
