Stack of Firewood

Moving firewood across county or state lines may also distribute serious insect pests hundreds of miles. For whatever reasons that the tree(s) were cut down in your yard, insects (including termites) may be hiding inside the logs. They may remain alive for a long time.

Over the past decade three serious exotic insect pests have been identified – emerald ash borer, Asian longhorn beetle, and walnut twig beetle. These insects continue to destroy stands of native trees in our forests and street/park trees in our urban areas. The firewood you cut down (or purchase) should not be transported miles away. Properly dispose of the wood where you live.

These three exotic pests and others are killing commercial timber acreage. Since their discovery quarantines forbidding the movement of specific wood products, such as firewood, have been established. However, the quarantine areas continue to expand every year. Legal shipping of logs via interstate highways is being checked. Camping sites, including those around major recreational or gathering areas are being inspected. This includes tailgate parties at NASCAR and football events.

Monitoring and control efforts for emerald ash borer, walnut twig beetle and other invasive pests continue. Please do your part in controlling the spread of these tree-killing pests by purchasing firewood at local campsites rather than transporting your own.