Christmas Trees to Oregon? Coals to Newcastle?

“Coals to Newcastle” – something brought or sent to a place where it is already plentiful. Newcastle-upon-Tyne in northern England was an abundant coal producer. “Carry coals to Newcastle” has been an expression for an unnecessary activity since the mid 17th century.

“Coals to Newcastle” – something brought or sent to a place where it is already plentiful. Newcastle-upon-Tyne in northern England was an abundant coal producer. “Carry coals to Newcastle” has been an expression for an unnecessary activity since the mid 17th century.

You probably bought your Christmas tree from your local Boy Scout troop or the people who set up every year on a corner close to your neighborhood, right? Or maybe from a nearby big-box store? If it’s the latter, you may have also brought home some elongate hemlock scale insects.

The Oregon Department of Forestry alerts that trees imported into Oregon may be carrying invasive pests, such as the above-mentioned elongate hemlock scale. Although Oregon is the nation’s largest producer of Christmas trees, retailers such as Home Depot may bring theirs in from as far away as North Carolina, bugs and all.

The Department of Forestry warns that trees dumped wherever may result in the hatching of eggs laid on them and the pests escaping into living trees. They urge you to inspect your tree carefully. If you find indications of unwanted bugs, they advise against recycling it or throwing in on the grassy median on Ainsworth Street. Instead, cut up the tree, seal it in a plastic bag and dispose of it in a closed garbage receptacle.

It’s a little late. So now they tell us?

And all those Oregon trees? Most are exported out of state, half of those to California.