Don’t Move Firewood, Buy It Where You Burn It
By Tom Molloy
Firewood can carry invasive insects and diseases that can kill native trees. New infestations of these insects and diseases can destroy our forests, lessen property values, and cost a great deal in taxpayers’ dollars to monitor, manage, and control.
Insects such as Emerald ash borer, goldspotted oak borer, Sirex woodwasp, gypsy moth and Asian longhorned beetle, or diseases, such as Sudden Oak Death, all can be carried by firewood.
Native trees have evolved to survive with local insects and diseases. Likewise, native predators eat native insects and that keeps their numbers in check (environmental balance). Non-native insects and diseases have few (if any) predators, and the native trees have few natural defenses against them. Invasive insects and diseases reproduce quickly and outcompete native species.
Some Midwest and East Coast states have quarantines that prevent you from moving firewood more than 50 miles, others don’t allow you to move wood from county to county, and some states don’t allow firewood to be transported from other states.
Tiny insect eggs, or microscopic fungus spores, are enough to destroy an entire ecosystem. Never assume wood that “looks safe” is safe to move.
A good rule of thumb: The shorter the distance you move firewood, the better. If by mistake you move the wood, burn it quickly and completely. The sooner and faster you burn the wood, the less risk
you’ll pose to local live trees. Make sure to also rake up any dropped leaves, bark, twigs or other debris and burn them, as well. (Note: Check burning restrictions/regulations before you burn wood waste).
Firewood, brush, and debris from your property pose no threat if you don’t move it very far. Composting, chipping, burning, or transporting it to a local disposal facility are acceptable ways of dealing with wood
waste on your property. Moving firewood material long distances increases the risk.
Ask your firewood seller where he/she obtained the wood. If it isn’t nearby, or its origin is unknown, consider obtaining your firewood from another local firewood seller.
The Department of Agriculture has information about best management practices or rules and regulations relating to firewood. Visit the website www.dontmovefirewood.org for additional
information. (They are an outreach partnership with the Nature Conservancy.)
