Are You Picking Up Hitch Hikers You Don't Even Know About?
Our forests are severely threatened by non-native insects and diseases that can eliminate entire species of forest trees. Recently introduced insects and diseases such as emerald ash borer, Asian longhorned beetle, Sirex woodwasp, and laurel wilt are wood-infesting species that can and are being transported long distances in firewood. Other non-native pests such as hemlock woolly adelgid, gypsy moth, thousand-cankers disease, Dutch elm disease, oak wilt, beech bark disease, and sudden oak death may also be moved to new areas in firewood. Once transported into new areas, these pests can become established and kill local trees. We must all do our part to stop the spread of these invasive pests and protect our forests and trees.
Learn more about the impacts of moving firewood from the our Forest Health Protection web page, Don't Move Firewood!