Society warns against using invasives as decorations

Consumers are being advised against using invasive plant species in their holiday decorations. Tom Smarr, director of hort. at New England Wild Flower Society, said the public should avoid Oriental bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus) and multiflora rose (Rosa multiflora) in holiday decorations.

“Too often birds carry the fruits right off wreaths and garlands, or the fruits end up in landfills where they resprout,” Smarr said. “These plants create severe environmental damage in many parts of the country. They invade open fields, forests, wetlands, meadows and even your own backyard, aggressively killing off whatever plants are nearby. Bittersweet can even kill mature trees.”

It is illegal to sell bittersweet and multiflora rose in any form (plants or prunings) in Massachusetts.

-- Kevin

Comments

[SM on behalf of Ed Bemis]

The Massachusetts regulations apply only to whole live plants. It makes no mention of plant parts, prunings, dried wreaths, etc. This is a link to the draft of the regulation http://www.mass.gov/agr/farmproducts/proposed_prohibited_plant_list_release.htm
I have spoken to Rena Sumner, chairperson of Massachusetts Invasive Plant Advisory Group http://www.massnrc.org/MIPAG/ and she said that unequivocally plant parts are not covered by this ban. Rena also is Executive Director of the Mass. Nursery and Landscape Association so she is familiar with the industry.

Just wanted to stop the wrong info from going any further.

Thanks again,
Ed Bemis
Bemis Farms Nursery
Spencer, Mass.