Moving firewood spreads insect pests and tree diseases that kill trees
Many people take wood from their own property as they head to camp or vacation homes, without realizing the wood might be hiding the eggs or larvae of forest-damaging insects or the spores of disease-causing fungi. These pests cannot travel far on their own, but they can travel hundreds of miles a day on someone’s campfire wood.
Larvae and eggs of forest pests can be difficult if not impossible to see on firewood. For this reason, dozens of emerald ash borer infestations have been found in or near campgrounds in multiple states. New Asian longhorned beetle infestations developed when firewood was transported from Brooklyn to eastern Long Island and within Clermont County in Ohio.
Buy local or certified heat-treated firewood
Instead of bringing wood from home, buy firewood locally or gather it near where you are planning to burn it (if permitted). You can also purchase certified heat-treated wood that has been treated for pests.
Vermont state campgrounds have local firewood available at each campground. There are plenty of convenient locations to buy local firewood throughout the state, just ask your campground host!
To help slow the spread of emerald ash borer within Vermont, ash firewood that has not been heat treated should not be moved outside of the .
Rule Governing the Importation of Untreated Firewood into the State of Vermont
Vermont’s firewood rule went into effect May 1, 2016. Under this rule, cut firewood cannot be brought into Vermont without a certification that it is heat treated.
You Can Help
Here are some simple things you can do to stop the spread:
- . Buy it where you burn it!
- Learn to recognize and keep an eye out for them in the woods you visit.
- suspicious findings.
- Tell others about the importance of not moving firewood.