What state are you in? FL, CA, TX and AZ have strict laws on what you can bring into the state. From a old news story ..."Mr. Nagatoshi Morimoto pleaded guilty to one felony count of smuggling citrus cuttings from Japan into the United States. The cuttings were smuggled in express mail shipments from Japan in boxes labeled as "candy and chocolates." The shipment tested positive for citrus canker. Mr. Morimoto was sentenced to one month in prison, a $5,000.00 fine and community service that requires him to distribute brochures both in Japan and the U.S. that warn about the virus and the consequences of illegally shipping citrus cuttings to the US."

This was obviously a MAJOR infraction, so the business card left for you might be an ongoing investigation into non federally regulated distribution of citrus via ebay.

I am in NY, and I will call them in about 3 hrs when they open.

Heavens :(

Be sure to let us know what all of this is about. I'm sure everything will be okay.

Hi Fel,
I wouldn't worry about the citrus or the Feds..They could be doing an ongoing investigation with the seller, (if the seller is involved shipping illagal citrus)
Do you normally bid/buy on Ebay? If so, they'll take this into consideration, knowing full well you are not involved in any illegal activities.
BTW, does the seller only deal w/citrus? Have you checked his/her feedback? Have others purchsed from him/her?
Again, try calming down..
But I am curious as to what happens, and what they want as are everyone else on this thread..Plus we're concerned about you..but I truly don't think you're going to jail, getting fined, probation, or any such thing.
You take care, and try relaxing. You'll know soon enough what's going on...Keep us posted..Toni

Well thank you for the concern.

I got a hold of the inspector this morning.

It turns out the seller that sold me the tree lives near (actually 25 miles from) a site where there was a diseased tree. They said citrus canker and green something or other.

They obtained the records from that seller and they are taking all the citrus sold for inspection and then they will be destroyed. Even if mine is fine I will not get it back.

The inspector wanted to set up a time when they could pick up the tree. I explained that I will be working overtime this week, and I would be happy to bring the tree to work for them to take, which is much closer for them. They said they would rather come by my house, at my convenience, and they can even come after hours. I started thinking they are after more than that tree. I have several other citrus here, some I have bought, some I have raised from seeds, as well as perhaps 200(!) other plants. Sort of like a jungle at times. I have plants in all windows (which they would have seen), gardens, and plants in containers outside, pineapples in pots on the roof even.

Can someone tell me if my fears are warranted? Will they try and confiscate more than just the tree? They can have the one they are after, but will they try and take my other citrus, or worst yet, all my plants? I have collected and grown some of them for over 30 yrs., and they are cherished.

Please tell me what to do here. I was relieved to hear I am not in for a fine or jail, but I still cant bear to think of losing my plants.

Thank you.

Sheesh, forgot to include:

Yes, I have bought plants on eBay before, in fact, I have bought many other items too.

The seller is still there and has great feedback, but no longer selling citrus.

Under the persistence of the officer (and under duress) I agreed to have them visit Friday evening.

Wow. Feds are cacking down on Florida.

Ok. So the inspector is coming out Friday. Hopefully you will be there so that he won't "accidently" take a different tree. Make sure that that tree is fully separated from any other citrus that you have in your yard. You don't want them getting the notion that the tree in question infected any of your other citrus...

Be sure to ask them:

A: Are they testing the confiscated trees?
B: If so, please send you the results for your tree.
C: If they test positive for canker or greening, not sure what you would want to do about your existing citrus. Could they have been infected as well?

If your member page is correct & you are in upstate NY, they have no business with you. You are not in a citrus producing state. If the tree came from FL which is under a no ship quarantine, then the seller will be held liable. I would not give them anything but the tree you purchased. Now if the tree you purchased is infected you run the risk of having all your other citrus trees infected as well.

Thank you.

I am outside of Buffalo, NY, not a huge citrus belt around here!

I will not have the other citrus visible when they come. But, I cannot lie if I am asked if I have others.

Does anyone know if any non-citrus plants are susceptible to the diseases in question?

They were way too persistent to come for a visit for me to believe it is only this little tree they want...

Let us know what happens. It seems to me they would take all your citrus.

It's been pretty horrific over here in Australia - whole towns out bush have lost their citrus because of canker on one farm

Hope all goes well for you

Tony - Sunshine Coast Australia

Fel, since they were so adament about coming to your home, I think they have more in mind than just checking out the one citrus. I'd bet they want to see what other citrus you have.
No, they won't take your other plants, (non-citrus) For one, tropicals, C&S's are still being shipped from Fl, so they're not in danger; it's only citrus.
I too would separate this new citrus tree from others, even though, since the new citrus is on your property along with your othter citrus, they might want to test them all, or just confiscate them, despite where they were purchased or grown.
I think it's a shame you have to go through this mess because someone on Ebay sold you a tree that shouldn't have been sold..Do you know if this person sold to others? I'm wondering how many others are also being investigated like you are..that's terrible you're in a jam.
Fel, was this person located in Fl? If so, why in the heck was he/she selling citrus in the first place..Obviously, he/she knew not to ship to other states.
Anyway, I wouldn't worry about other plants...It's the citrus they're looking into..I don't know the laws..or if they really will test your trees for canker..if they're disease free, hopefully they'll hand them back to you..
But Fel, let's say your trees are infected, it's best they take them..You don't want a mess on your hands, and by keeping them, you'd never be able to bring new citrus in the house..
Also, since the seller is responsible, he/she should reimburse you for the citrus, and all the others you lost, if the Feds take them..Good luck and keep us posted..Toni

Fel, make sure you are not home alone when they come on Friday. Have a spouse or friend with you for support and to be on the safe side. Good luck.

Stephanie

Ok. So we are dying out here. What happened?

A man came promptly at 7 and I let him in. He was very nice and explained what had happened. He said the shipper of this tree either had citrus canker, or was within 1500 feet of an infected tree. He explained the disease. He also said they were not interested in taking any other citrus or plants, but that they would run molecular tests, which would be done within a week. If there were evidence of disease, I should then expect another visit, but they would call.

He said I should feel comfortable buying citrus from any accredited National firm or grower, they have all been inspected, but it would be a good idea to shy away from eBay for citrus trees.

My tree was blooming when he took it and that was the first flush of blooms since it arrived in April, so it was hard to say good bye. But that was about it, and I am very, VERY happy to be done with the ordeal.

Thank you all for the concern and the replies. It was a very stressful week, and this thread was my comfort. The day I got the card in the door I had pictures of court, fines, etc. I never really believed jail, but I never thought it would end so easily.

If I do not hear from them within a week I will know my plant was clean and then I am buying another! :)

Hi Fel..
Did they say anything about the seller? In other words, has he/she been selling infected plants via Ebay? Is he/she under suspicion for selling diseased trees?
I wonder what will happen to the seller..
Now what happens since you paid this person? Will he/she reimiburse you? Or can you say good bye $$?
I think the seller is responsible and should refund everyone who bought trees from him/her.
Mind telling us if the seller owned a store, or was it a personal sale?
So, do you plan on purchasing via Ebay again? LOL..or will you stick mainly to stores?
BTW, was he/she located in Fl?
Fel, I never once thought you'd end up jailed or even fined, but was wondering if they'd confiscate your other trees..this doesn't make sense..if they suspect canker on the new purchase, what about your other citrus, especially since they were really close to each other? Do they intend on testing your other citrus if the one comes up positive? Anyway, I'm happy things turned out the way they did, minus your new tree...Good luck if they do have to return for another visit..You take care, Toni

The seller was incredible, they refunded my money and I did not even request it. This was done yesterday. The seller (yes, in Florida) was the one that provided my name and address to the agents. I guess they are still in contact with them to find out if and when the agents pick up the trees. The seller is still on eBay, so nothing happened to her. It was a private purchase, so I am unsure if they have a store.

Do I still plan to purchase via eBay? Of course! To not would be too much of a penalty. I have gotten many nice plants and other items on eBay, it is fun. I never thought about the risk of buying citrus though, and that I will not buy again on eBay.

So glad things worked out okay for you, sad thought that even if your plant is not infected you can't have it back. Hope you got a picture of it before it was taken away.

Fel, I agree w/Passion..did you get a pic? If so, can you post it?
I'm glad they reimbursed you.
I too would continue buying from Ebay..just not citrus, or stores/personal places located in Fl. The seller should have realized citrus cannot be shipped outside..I wonder if she'll be fined..Did you email her? Let her know what was going on? She should be made aware, living in Fl, she cannot sell citrus, outside of Fl.
Anyway, I'm really happy they didn't walk away w/your other citrus. What a relief!!
If they ever find a cure for this terrible disease we can go once again order citrus from Fl..I wanted to purchase a Buddha's Hand this summer, but it'll have to wait. Toni

"He said I should feel comfortable buying citrus from any accredited National firm or grower, they have all been inspected, but it would be a good idea to shy away from eBay for citrus trees."
I could not agree more. And given all the problems in Florida, I would not buy from there at all. There are good nursery producers in every citrus region. Buy locally from established, licensed nurseries and you will have far less problems.
I know all of this was upsetting but imagine how the citrus growers felt when a disease was brought into CA many yeas ago, and all the citrus growers (and local back yard trees) were wiped out. all their trees died. That disease was brought in on Meyer lemon, which is why all Meyer being sold now is now Meyer Improved, it has been cleaned of the disease.
I know it's fun to raise lots of kinds. I have over 40 verities here at my home. All purchased from certified, licensed nurseries. It only takes one seed, or one budding, or any bit of a citrus tree to devastate all our trees.
Thanks for cooperating with the Feds. I know it's hard to loose your tree, but if it saves all our trees, then it is for a good reason. Thanks again
Arthur

Even accredited National firms or growers?? You cannot buy any citrus from Florida from ANYONE according to the USDA.
I bought a Mango from FL in August and talked to the nursery, they say things are very bad there and likely to get worse.
Felicia, there are a lot of growers in CA and TX that sell mailorder. If you need recommendations I'm sure we will all chime in!

Wow, I'm sorry that happened to you! As for a reputable nursery online, try Monrovia. A little pricey, but good quality, nine times out of ten.

Good luck!

I've never bought citrus from FL. I usually buy from Four Winds Growers in CA. I've been very happy with all their trees.
Karyn

Here is a link that might be useful: Four Winds Growers

Wow, I live in Florida and have never had problems. Does anyone know if the problems are specifically in any region of Florida? I'm glad everything worked out for you, how stressful.

I had the same thing happen to me here in Oklahoma. But the fed guys were really nice. They said that it didn't matter if the area you are in has citrus or not. Once the trees leave Florida, they're in violation because there's no way of knowing where you might take them later. They tried very hard to get permission to let me keep my kumquats because they are very resistant to these diseases, but since the seller was not licensed, they had to take them. The entire state of Florida is now under this quarrentine and the ebay seller did not realize that. She was very nice when I bought them, but I haven't yet heard from her now.

Here is a site in CA that ships plants around the country. They have a great pakaging system so the plants arrive in perfect condition. They carry citrus as well as many other fruits and even ornamentals.

Here is a link that might be useful: clifton's nursery

Sisbear927, this problem has been going on for several years, starting with the cutting of home citrus in Miami-Dade and moving north. Any citrus trees within a quarter mile of an infected tree was destroyed. I haven't heard of any trees being infected in the Florida Panhandle. I grow three citrus trees and I am cautious about eating bought citrus fruit around them or handling them after eating citrus. The fruit could be an infected carrier.