I was in the South Florida area for a meeting/mini vacation (more about this excursion later) and noticed on the way back that you could still buy those little citrus trees at the airport. I was puzzled since I thought no citrus trees were to leave Florida. Here's some picks I took at the airport in West Palm Beach:







Inspection seal marked out?!

There is always someone trying to make a buck! Nevermind the damage it could do to someone else's livelyhood. USDA probably can't do anything since it is being sold in Florida-- they probably have to catch the individual bringing it into another state. The individual doesn't know he is breaking the law, but the vendor knows and I bet he doesn't say a word!

The tree's were probably protected from contamination from disease vectors by being grown in a screened greenhouse, and packaged indoors. I'm sure it is completely legal, as selling Florida grown trees within the state has been OK'ed, but the ethics of selling them at the airport is certainly in question. Under these circumstances, I would think the chance of spreading disease by these particular trees must be minuscule. Lower, of course, than the 100s or perhaps 1000s of trees taken out of state in the trunks of cars leaving Florida by vacationers. - Millet

I'm sure it is legal to sell them in Florida, what is not legal is taking them out of the state and while most states do not have a state law against importation of citrus without certificates, LA, TX, AZ and CA do. I agree that the chances of getting a diseased plant are small, but I am sure that the citrus producing states do not want to take that chance. I hope they are aware of the potential problem. This could be how greening has gotten into LA--TX and AZ can't be far behind.

Skeet, I agree with everything you wrote - 100 percent. I would, however say, that the chances of preventing the spread of greening to all the other citrus growing states in this country, and into Mexico at zero (0). Just like LA and TX, it is, unfortunately, just a matter of time. - Millet

I hear via the grapevine that Louisiana cannot sell any citrus trees in Alabama. Their trees will have to be drenched with Admire 30 days prior to shipping and sprayed again one week prior to shipping. It is my understanding that they will be permitted to ship to Georgia and South Carolina under these guide lines. What I have been told is the Asian psyllid came to the New Orleans area on plants from out of state.

I saw that on the news this week. Here is an article about it.

http://news.findlaw.com/ap/f/1310/06-20-2008/20080620005006_06.html

The problem with the sale of trees in Florida is that that is the ones eyeckr shows in his pictures are the exception rather than the rule. The last time I was there, every flea market, nursery, and many other places that sell plants had them out in the open with nothing to prevent them from becoming infected with whatever. These trees can be easily purchased by tourists who have no idea that they might be spreading a horrible disease. The nursery does not even seem to be required to post a warning that the trees cannot be moved out of state.

Unfortunately, it is likely true that the spread of greening will continue until a way to control it can be found. Though it seems bleak at this point, I am hopeful that this will eventually happen.

Ned

I'm feeling guilty that in March of 06 I bought 3 big potted citrus trees from Wallyworld south of Orlando & drove them here. Do you think it can spread around here with my climate? It hasn't affected any plants & I don't think I brought the greening here. I didn't know then (if it was in effect) that citrus could not leave the state.

There was no ban on moving citrus then. You broke no laws. They sell them to this day at gas station/citrus stands on I-95. I'm sure that quite a few leave the state that way, whether the people know whether its illegal or not. I really can't see getting anything from the expo in S. Georgia this Fall either.


I really miss being able to go the box stores or the citrus nurseries
down there and loading up.

I'm going to Stuart and then Orlando for the 4th next week.

Citrus isn't even being considered, but I'm debating about a cold hardy avocado or a mango or cherimoya. I just don't to import any bug hitchhikers. I don't beleive that the Psyllids feed on those kinds of plants,
but I'm not sure that I want to chance bringing them home, no matter how small the chances.

Scott

Patty.

Scott's right, there was no ban at that time. Besides, I don't imagine citrus in Wisconsin is much of a problem. Having a disease like greening get into a state where it can spread from there to a state where citrus is a commercial crop (such as Arizona, Texas, or California) is.

Ned

My daughter lives in Daytona. We often go to the Daytona Flea Market while visiting her. This place is right off I-95, and I am sure many tourists stop there to shop. The main garden store there carries a wide assortment of citrus. The last time I was there, nary a notice regarding out of state movement of citrus trees could be found. I imagine a similar situation exists going West on I-10, which would be an even greater problem, because I-10 leads to states where citrus are grown commercially. It seems like the state, or USDA, would at least require that a warning be posted or attached to the tree.

http://www.daytonafleamarket.com/

Ned

My oldest son went to college in Daytona Beach at Embry Riddle University. My wife and I would go down to Daytona to visit him and also attend the Daytona 500. He married a girl from Daytona. I never knew that the flea market was there. - Millet

Scott, you might want to re-think getting an avocado. There is a new disease that is killing members of the laurel family, and avocado is a member. See this web site

http://www.fs.fed.us/r8/foresthealth/laurelwilt/index.shtml

Of special note

"In 2006, lab and field studies indicated that sassafras, avocado, and two rare plant species were susceptible to beetle and fungus attack, although the speed and rates of mortality for these species seem to be lower than they are for redbay."