CANADIAN FOOD INSPECTION AGENCY 
59 Camelot Drive 
Ottawa, Ontario  K1A 0Y9  
Tel: 613-225-2342; Fax: 613-773-7204   
D-14-03 
 
EFFECTIVE DATE  
January 1, 2016  
(Original)  
Title:   Phytosanitary import requirements for fresh and dried branches, roots, cones , 
foliage, flowers, lichens, mosses  and artificial Christmas trees containi ng bark or 
wood intended for a use other than propagation and human consumption  
 
 
 
SUBJECT  
 
This directive provides the phytosanitary import requirements for all fresh a nd dried branches, 
roots, cones, foliage, flowers, lichens, mosses and artificial Christmas tr ees containing bark or 
wood intended for all uses (including ornamental/decorative) other than propagation and huma n 
consumption.   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
January 1, 2015 D-14-03 (Original)  
 
  
 Page 2 of 16 Table of contents  
 
Review 3  
Endorsement ................................................................................................................................... 3  
Introduction 3  
Purpose 3  
References 4  
Definitions, abbreviations and acronyms ....................................................................................... 4  
1.0  Scope 5  
1.1  Legislative authority  ................................................................................................ 5  
1.2  Fees  ............................................................................................................................ 5  
1.3  Regulated pests  ........................................................................................................ 5  
1.4  Regulated commodities  ........................................................................................... 5  
1.5  Commodities not in the scope of this directive  ...................................................... 5  
1.6  Regulated areas  ........................................................................................................ 6  
2.0  General requirements............................................................................................................. 6  
3.0  Specific requirements ............................................................................................................ 7  
3.1  Non-woody material  ................................................................................................ 7  
3.1.1  Dried non-woody material ......................................................................................... 7  
3.1.2  Fresh non-woody material ......................................................................................... 7  
3.2  Woody material  ........................................................................................................ 8  
3.2.1  Dried woody material ................................................................................................ 8  
3.2.2  Fresh woody material ................................................................................................ 9  
4.0  Non-compliance .................................................................................................................. 13  
5.0  Appendices .......................................................................................................................... 13  
Appendix 1:  Plant Health directives that include requirements for material covered in di rective 
D-14-03 .................................................................................................................... 14  
Appendix 2:  Methyl bromide fumigation schedule ...................................................................... 16  
 
 January 1, 2015 D-14-03 (Original)  
 
  
 Page 3 of 16 Review 
 
This directive will be updated as required. For further information or clarific ation, please contact 
the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). 
 
Endorsement 
 
Approved by: 
 
 
 
 __________________________________ 
 Chief Plant Health Officer 
 
Introduction 
 
A large volume of fresh and dried branches, roots, cones, foliage, flowers, lichens , mosses and 
artificial Christmas trees containing bark or wood are imported to Canada f rom a variety of 
origins. A wide range of serious plant pests, which can pose a high pest risk to Canada’ s 
agriculture, forests and environment, can be transported in or on this material. Wood-boring  
insects, for example, are of particular concern and can be present in woody mate rial. Pests can 
move from non-propagative material to the environment, for example: when material  is disposed 
of by composting; when ornamental arrangements are placed outdoors; or when ornament al 
material is stored in close proximity to propagative material. 
 
This directive sets the phytosanitary import requirements for material int ended for uses other 
than propagation or consumption, such as ornamental/decorative (e.g. bouquets, wreaths). 
Requirements for material intended for propagation or human consumption are not included in 
this directive. 
 
Purpose 
 
This directive is intended for the use of CFIA staff, Canada Border Services Age ncy staff, 
National Plant Protection Organizations (NPPOs) of exporting countries and a ny individual or 
company intending to import fresh and dried branches, roots, cones, foliage, flowers, lic hens, 
mosses and artificial Christmas trees containing bark or wood for any uses ot her than 
propagation or human consumption from any country into Canada. 
 
 
 
 January 1, 2015 D-14-03 (Original)  
 
  
 Page 4 of 16 References 
D-01-06: Canadian phytosanitary policy for the notification of non-compliance and eme rgency 
action [http://inspection.gc.ca/plants/plant-protection/directives/date/ d-01-
06/eng/1320037517418/1320037718275]. CFIA, Ottawa. 
 
D-02-12: Import requirements for non-processed wood and other non-propagative wood 
products, except solid wood packaging material, from all areas other than the contine ntal United 
States [http://inspection.gc.ca/plants/plant-protection/directives/date /d-02-
12/eng/1312383927173/1312384406559]. CFIA, Ottawa. 
 
D-03-08: Phytosanitary Requirements to Prevent the Introduction Into and Spread W ithin 
Canada of the Emerald Ash Borer, Agrilus planipennis  (Fairmaire) 
[http://inspection.gc.ca/plants/plant-protection/directives/date/d-03-
08/eng/1323821135864/1323821440121]. CFIA, Ottawa. 
 
D-07-03: Phytosanitary Import Requirements to Prevent the Entry of Epiphyas postvittana  (light 
brown apple moth) [http://inspection.gc.ca/plants/plant-protection/directives/da te/d-07-
03/eng/1323873365233/1323876281045]. CFIA, Ottawa. 
 
D-08-04: Plant protection import requirements for plants and plant parts for planting  
[http://inspection.gc.ca/plants/plant-protection/directives/date/d-08-
04/eng/1323752901318/1323753612811]. CFIA, Ottawa. 
 
D-94-35: List of Sources Approved to Export Fruit Tree and Grape Propagative Mater ial to 
Canada [http://inspection.gc.ca/plants/plant-protection/directives/date /d-94-
35/eng/1320670450493/1320679486025]. CFIA, Ottawa. 
 
D-99-07: Policy for Importation from the United States and Domestic Movement of  Plum Pox 
Virus (PPV) susceptible Prunus  Propagative Plant Material [http://inspection.gc.ca/plants/plant-
protection/directives/date/d-99-07/eng/1312320268313/1312324196014#a15]. CFIA, Ottawa. 
 
Definitions, abbreviations and acronyms     
 
Definitions for terms used in the present document can be found in the Plant Health Gloss ary of 
Terms [http://www.inspection.gc.ca/plants/plant-
protection/directives/glossary/eng/1304730588212/1304730789969]. 
 
 
 
 
 January 1, 2015 D-14-03 (Original)  
 
  
 Page 5 of 16 1.0  Scope 
 
1.1  Legislative authority 
  
Plant Protection Act , S.C. 1990, c.22 
Plant Protection Regulations , SOR/95-212 
Canadian Food Inspection Agency Fees Notice , Canada Gazette, Part I (as amended 
from time to time) 
 
1.2  Fees 
 
The CFIA charges fees in accordance with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency Fees 
Notice . For information regarding fees associated with imported product, please contact  
the CFIA’s National Import Service Centre (NISC) 
[http://www.inspection.gc.ca/food/imports/commercial-
importers/nisc/eng/1364059150360/1364059265637]. Anyone requiring other 
information regarding fees may contact any local CFIA office or visit  our Fees Notice  
website [http://www.inspection.gc.ca/about-the-cfia/acts-and-regulat ions/fees-
notice/eng/1307222845373/1307222984162]. 
 
1.3 Regulated pests  
 
 Please see the list of Pests Regulated by Canada 
[http://www.inspection.gc.ca/plants/plant-protection/pests/regulated-
pests/eng/1363317115207/1363317187811].  
 
Please note that the CFIA may take action on material that is found to be infested wi th 
pests of potential quarantine concern even if they are not yet included on this list. 
 
1.4 Regulated commodities 
  
All fresh and dried branches, roots, cones, foliage, flowers, lichens, mosses and arti ficial 
Christmas trees containing bark or wood intended for any uses other than propagation 
and human consumption. 
 
1.5 Commodities not in the scope of this directive    
 
• Bark in isolation (no longer attached to branches). See directive D-02-12 
[http://inspection.gc.ca/plants/plant-protection/directives/date/d-02-
12/eng/1312383927173/1312384406559] for the import requirements for bark in 
isolation imported from areas other than the continental United States. For the January 1, 2015 D-14-03 (Original)  
 
  
 Page 6 of 16 continental United States, see the directives listed in Appendix 1. 
 
• Christmas trees. See directive D-02-12 [http://inspection.gc.ca/plants/plant -
protection/directives/date/d-02-12/eng/1312383927173/1312384406559] for the 
import requirements for Christmas trees.  
 
• Material intended for propagation. See directive D-08-04 
[http://inspection.gc.ca/plants/plant-protection/directives/date/d-08-
04/eng/1323752901318/1323753612811] for the import requirements for plant 
material intended for propagation. 
 
• Material intended for human consumption. These requirements are presented in 
various Plant Health directives [http://inspection.gc.ca/plants/plant-
protection/directives/date/eng/1312227346910/1312227453760]. 
 
1.6 Regulated areas 
 
All countries. 
 
2.0  General requirements   
 
The following requirements apply to  all products covered under this directive. 
Requirements for material from a particular origin also apply when the mate rial is re-
exported via a third country.  
 
Material must be free from soil, soil-related matter, growing media and qua rantine pests . 
 
Cut flowers, foliage and branches must be free from roots.  
 
Growing on, planting or propagation of any of the material covered under this directi ve is  
prohibited . Material intended for planting or propagation is subject to additional 
requirements presented in other directives (e.g. directive D-08-04 
[http://inspection.gc.ca/plants/plant-protection/directives/date/d-08-
04/eng/1323752901318/1323753612811]). 
 
Section 3.0 presents only the requirements not captured elsewhere in other Plant He alth 
directives and is not  exhaustive. Other requirements may also apply, including 
prohibitions. In particular, Appendix 1 provides a list of Plant Health directives that 
contain requirements specific to certain pests, taxa and origins. For more inform ation, 
please see the list of all Plant Health directives [http://inspection.gc.ca /plants/plant-
protection/directives/date/eng/1312227346910/1312227453760], consult the CFIA’s 
Automated Import Reference System January 1, 2015 D-14-03 (Original)  
 
  
 Page 7 of 16 [http://www.inspection.gc.ca/plants/imports/airs/eng/1300127512994/1300127627409] or 
contact your local CFIA office [http://inspection.gc.ca/about-the-
cfia/offices/eng/1313255382836/1313256130232]. 
 
3.0  Specific requirements 
 
3.1 Non-woody material  
 
This product category refers to non-woody material (e.g. cut flowers, non-woody f oliage, 
mosses, lichens).  
 
3.1.1 Dried non-woody material 
  
No specific requirements under this directive.  
 
3.1.2 Fresh non-woody material 
 
Fresh mosses and lichens 
 
From the continental United States: 
A Permit to Import is not required. A Phytosanitary Certificate is requir ed.  
 
From areas other than the continental United States: 
A Permit to Import and a Phytosanitary Certificate are required.  
 
All other products 
 
Origin Requirements 
New Zealand See Section 2.1 of directive D-07-03 
[http://inspection.gc.ca/plants/plant-
protection/directives/date/d-07-
03/eng/1323873365233/1323876281045] on Epiphyas  
postvittana  (light brown apple moth). 
South Africa A Permit to Import is not required. 
A Phytosanitary Certificate is required.  
No treatments or additional declarations are required.  January 1, 2015 D-14-03 (Original)  
 
  
 Page 8 of 16 United States  Fraxinus  spp.: See directive D-03-08 
[http://inspection.gc.ca/plants/plant-
protection/directives/date/d-03-
08/eng/1323821135864/1323821440121] on Agrilus  
planipennis  (emerald ash borer). 
United States –  
California and Hawaii  Taxa listed in Appendix 1 of directive D-07-03 
[http://inspection.gc.ca/plants/plant-
protection/directives/date/d-07-
03/eng/1323873365233/1323876281045] on Epiphyas  
postvittana  (light brown apple moth): 
See Section 2.2 of directive D-07-03 
[http://inspection.gc.ca/plants/plant-
protection/directives/date/d-07-
03/eng/1323873365233/1323876281045#c10aa]. 
All other origins No specific requirements under this directive. 
 
3.2  Woody material   
 
This product category includes all woody material (e.g. branches, cones, woody r oots, 
woody foliage), including wreaths and similar items.  
 
3.2.1 Dried woody material 
 
3.2.1.1 Originating from the continental United States 
 
No specific requirements under this directive. However, see in the directives li sted in 
Appendix 1 for other requirements that may apply. 
 
3.2.1.2 Originating from areas other than the continental United States 
 
For products that are dried (less than 8% moisture content), free from bark and  no greater 
than 1.5 cm in thickness, neither a Phytosanitary Certificate nor a Permit to Im port is 
required. 
 Note: Dry cones must be entirely coated with a permanent layer of lacquer, paint or 
other sealant. 
 
Other products: 
• This includes: January 1, 2015 D-14-03 (Original)  
 
  
 Page 9 of 16 o Dry cones that are not coated in a sealant. 
o Artificial Christmas trees containing bark or wood. 
o Products that are not dried, not free from bark and/or greater than 1.5 cm in 
thickness. 
• One of the following options must be met: 
o Material must be fumigated with methyl bromide as per Appendix 2.  
o Material must be heat-treated to a minimum temperature of 56°C throughout 
the profile of the wood (including at its core) for a minimum of 30 minutes. 
• A Phytosanitary Certificate showing the treatment details is require d. A fumigation 
certificate in lieu of this will not be accepted. 
• A Permit to Import is not required. 
 
3.2.2 Fresh woody material 
 
3.2.2.1 Originating from the continental United States 
 
Scientific name Common name Requirements 
Chaenomeles  spp.  flowering quince The conditions for plant material intended for 
propagation apply. See directives D-94-35 
[http://inspection.gc.ca/plants/plant-
protection/directives/date/d-94-
35/eng/1320670450493/1320679486025] (fruit 
trees and grapevines) and D-97-07 
[http://inspection.gc.ca/plants/plant-
protection/directives/date/d-99-
07/eng/1312320268313/1312324196014#a15] 
(plum pox virus). Cydonia  spp.  quince 
Malus  spp.  apple, crabapple 
Prunus  spp. stone fruit 
Pyrus  spp.  pear 
Vitis  spp. grapevine 
Taxa listed in Appendix 1 of directive 
D-07-03 From California only: 
See Section 2.2 of directive D-07-03 
[http://inspection.gc.ca/plants/plant-
protection/directives/date/d-07-
03/eng/1323873365233/1323876281045] on 
Epiphyas  postvittana  (light brown apple moth). 
All other taxa No specific requirements under this directive. 
However, see the directives listed in Appendix 
1 for other requirements that may apply. 
 January 1, 2015 D-14-03 (Original)  
 
  
 Page 10 of 16 3.2.2.2 Originating from areas other than the continental United States 
 
Taxa and origins not listed in either of the following tables are permitted wit h no specific 
requirements under this directive. However, see the directives listed in Appendix  1 for 
other requirements that may apply. 
 
Permitted, with restrictions 
 
Scientific name Origin Requirements 
• Citrus  spp. 
• Dieffenbachia  spp.    All origins • A Permit to Import is required. 
• A Phytosanitary Certificate is required. 
Dracaeana  sanderiana    China • A Permit to Import is required.  
• A Phytosanitary Certificate is required. It must include an 
additional declaration stating that the material in the 
consignment was produced in a facility approved by the 
Administration for Quality Supervision, Inspection and 
Quarantine of China or by China Inspection and 
Quarantine offices, and meets the CFIA’s requirements 
for the importation of Dracaena  sanderiana . 
• Material must not be in standing water. 
All other 
origins • A Permit to Import is required.  
• A Phytosanitary Certificate is required.   
Taxa listed in Appendix 
1 of directive D-07-03 
[http://inspection.gc.ca/pl 
ants/plant-
protection/directives/date 
/d-07-
03/eng/1323873365233/1 
323876281045#e12a] Hawaii See Section 2.2 of directive D-07-03 
[http://inspection.gc.ca/plants/plant-
protection/directives/date/d-07-
03/eng/1323873365233/1323876281045#c10aa] on 
Epiphyas  postvittana  (light brown apple moth).  
All taxa New Zealand See Section 2.1 of directive D-07-03 
[http://inspection.gc.ca/plants/plant-
protection/directives/date/d-07-
03/eng/1323873365233/1323876281045#c10a] on Epiphyas  
postvittana  (light brown apple moth).  January 1, 2015 D-14-03 (Original)  
 
  
 Page 11 of 16 Prohibited 
 
Fresh woody material of the following taxa is prohibited  from origins other than the 
continental United States.   
 
Scientific name Common name 
Abies spp.  fir 
Acer  spp. maple 
Aesculus  spp.  horse chestnut 
Alnus  spp.  alder 
Betula  spp.  birch 
Carpinus  spp.  hornbeam 
Carya  spp.  hickory 
Castanea  spp.  chestnut 
Castanopsis  spp.  chinquapin 
Celtis spp.  hackberry 
Chaenomeles spp.   flowering quince 
Cornus  spp.  dogwood 
Corylus spp.  hazelnut 
Cydonia spp. quince 
Fagus  spp.  beech 
Frangula spp. buckthorn   
Fraxinus spp.  ash 
Juglans spp.  walnut 
Larix  spp.  larch January 1, 2015 D-14-03 (Original)  
 
  
 Page 12 of 16 Lithocarpus  spp.  stone oak 
Malus  spp. apple, crabapple 
Ostrya spp.  hophornbeam 
Picea  spp.  spruce 
Pinus  spp.  pine 
Platanus spp.  sycamore, plane 
Populus  spp.  poplar 
Pseudolarix  spp.  golden larch 
Pseudotsuga  spp.  Douglas fir 
Prunus  spp. stone fruit 
Pyrus  spp. pear 
Quercus  spp.  oak 
Rhamnus  spp. buckthorn 
Rhus spp.  sumac 
Salix  spp.  willow 
Sorbus spp.  mountain ash 
Tilia spp.  basswood 
Tsuga  spp.  hemlock 
Ulmus  spp.  elm 
Vitis  spp. grapevine 
 
  January 1, 2015 D-14-03 (Original)  
 
  
 Page 13 of 16 4.0  Non-compliance 
 
Imported consignments may be inspected by the CFIA and must meet all requirem ents 
when they reach first point of arrival in Canada. Products that are found to be infest ed 
with pests of quarantine concern or are otherwise non-compliant may be refused ent ry to 
Canada, and may be ordered removed from the country or destroyed. Infested shipme nts 
may be ordered treated prior to disposal to prevent the spread of pests. The importer  is 
responsible for all costs relating to treatment, disposal or removal of the product s, 
including costs incurred by the CFIA to monitor the action taken. The CFIA will advis e 
the NPPO of the country of origin of any non-compliance with the conditions outlined in 
this directive as per directive  
D-01-06: Canadian phytosanitary policy for the notification of non-compliance and 
emergency action [http://inspection.gc.ca/plants/plant-protection/direc tives/date/d-01-
06/eng/1320037517418/1320037718275]. 
 
5.0  Appendices 
 
Appendix 1:  Plant Health directives that include requirements for material  covered in 
directive D-14-03 
 
 Appendix 2:  Methyl bromide fumigation schedule 
  January 1, 2015 D-14-03 (Original)  
 
  
 Page 14 of 16 Appendix 1: Plant Health directives that include requirements f or material covered in 
directive D-14-03 
 
   
The directives below can be found in the list of all Plant Health directives 
[http://inspection.gc.ca/plants/plant-
protection/directives/date/eng/1312227346910/1312227453760].  
 
Note: Requirements may change at any time; this list may not contain the most up-to -date 
information. Please see the Automated Import Reference System 
[http://www.inspection.gc.ca/plants/imports/airs/eng/1300127512994/1300127627409] or 
contact the CFIA [http://www.inspection.gc.ca/about-the-
cfia/offices/eng/1313255382836/1313256130232] for details. 
   
Directive  Pests of concern Regulated taxa Regulated origin 
D-94-22 Tomicus piniperda  
(pine shoot beetle) Pinus  spp. continental United 
States 
D-95-28 multiple pests;  
see directive Zea mays multiple countries;  
see directive 
D-96-08 multiple pests;  
see directive  Sorghum  spp. multiple countries;  
see directive 
D-97-07 Ophiostoma ulmi  and 
Ophiostoma novo-ulmi  
(Dutch elm disease) Ulmus  spp., 
Zelkova  spp. United States  
D-97-10 Lachnellula willkommii  
(European larch canker) Larix  spp.,  
Pseudolarix spp. multiple countries;  
see directive 
D-98-09 Lymantria dispar  
(North American gypsy 
moth) all taxa United States  January 1, 2015 D-14-03 (Original)  
 
  
 Page 15 of 16 D-99-01 multiple pests;  
see directive Hordeum spp., 
Avena spp.,  
Secale spp. ,  
x-Triticosecale, 
Triticum spp.  multiple countries;  
see directive 
D-99-03 Ceratocystis fagacearum   
(oak wilt disease) Castanea  spp.,  
Castanopsis spp.,  
Lithocarpus  spp., 
Quercus  spp. continental United 
States 
D-00-08 Phytophthora alni Alnus spp. multiple countries;  
see directive 
D-01-01 Phytophthora ramorum multiple taxa;  
see directive  multiple countries;  
see directive 
D-03-08 Agrilus planipennis   
(emerald ash borer) Fraxinus spp. continental United 
States 
D-07-03 Epiphyas postvittana   
(light brown apple moth) multiple taxa;  
see directive New Zealand, 
United States 
(including Hawaii) 
D-07-05 Adelges tsugae   
(hemlock woolly adelgid) Picea jezoensis ,  
Picea polita ,  
Tsuga  spp. United States  
D-11-01 Anoplophora spp.  
(long-horn beetles) multiple taxa;  
see directive multiple countries;  
see directive 
D-11-05 Anoplophora glabripennis   
(Asian long-horn beetle) multiple taxa;  
see directive continental United 
States 
 
 
 
  January 1, 2015 D-14-03 (Original)  
 
  
 Page 16 of 16 Appendix 2: Methyl bromide fumigation schedule 
 
 
Canada is a signatory of The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer  
(1992), agreeing to the reduction and eventual phase-out of methyl bromide use. The CFIA 
encourages exporters to use methyl bromide recovery systems and investigat e the use of methyl 
bromide alternatives. 
 
The minimum temperature must not be less than 10°C and the minimum exposure time must be 
at least 24 hours. Monitoring of concentrations must be carried out at a minimum of 2, 4 and 24 
hours after application of the fumigant. 
 
A Phytosanitary Certificate issued by the certifying National Pla nt Protection Organization and 
indicating the fumigation details (average commodity temperature, genera l rate [g/m 3] of methyl 
bromide used and exposure time) is required. 
 
Regulated products may be fumigated with methyl bromide in the following manner:  
 
Temperature Dosage 
(g/m 3) Minimum concentration (g/m 3)  
at 2 hours at 4 hours at 24 hours 
21°C or above 48 36 31 24 
16°C or above 56 42 36 28 
10°C or above 64 48 42 32