Did you know the wood you use in your fire pit may contain invasive species? Unbeknownst to some, there are regulations on moving firewood from location to location. Invasive species can be lurking in the bark, leaves, and hidden areas of the wood and become destructive to other ecosystems. Due to this danger, most states have specific regulations on distances that firewood can move. There are also quarantines and pest alerts on particular forests that do not allow any wood from that area to be used or removed for firewood use. If you are unsure of the distance regulations in your state, visit Don't Move Firewood's Organization website for more information. ‘The Nature’s Conservatory’s Forest Health Protection Program’ manages this campaign.
The Consequences of Moving Firewood
When you purchase firewood in one location and move it to burn in another, several consequences come at nature’s expense. The two most common effects are the risk of invasive species and invasive plant-based pathogens, causing forest destruction.
Invasive Species: Invasive species are non-native species taking over an ecosystem different from their natural environment. In regards to forests and firewood, insect larvae can become transferred from the wood collection site to the burn site and cause the spread of these non-native species. When an invasive species enters a new environment, there are no natural predators to ward them off and protect the trees and plants. When this occurs, trees such as the Ash tree, fall victim to these new species. Trees native to an area have adapted to survive with the local insects and plant pathogens. Introducing new species to the local forests destroys the natural ecosystem.
The Emerald Ash Borer is a common invasive species. The larvae can hide in bark and leaves. When the firewood is in transport, falling leaves and loose bark may fly off the wood and introduce this insect to new ecosystems. For reasons such as this, transporting wood over 10 miles is not recommended, even if you plan to burn all the wood. There is no way to guarantee a microscopic spread of larvae won’t spread during transport.
Invasive Plant Pathogens: Native trees have built a defense system against local plant pathogens, such as Sudden Oak Death. However, bringing non-native firewood to a new burn site, the pathogens on this wood may be released to the environment and destroy the plants and trees in the area.
How Far Can I Move My Firewood?
There are specific distant regulations set in place in most states. Using the link provided in the beginning of this blog, you can search for your state’s recommendation. The basic golden rule of moving firewood is 10 miles or less is best. However, checking your states distance regulations and quarantines is always the best choice.
What Firewood is safe to move?
Any firewood that falls within your state's distance regulations are OK to move. However, if there are quarantined forest areas in your distance range, you cannot use any of that wood as firewood. The forests that are within quarantine are known to house unwanted invasive insects or plants. These quarantines helps keep the dangerous species limited to these areas and help control the spread to other ecosystems.
You may want to take extra cut wood, brush or twigs from your backyard or other property and take that with you to your fire pit site; this is not an advised action. Wood may look safe to use and transport from place to place. However, if your wood comes from outside your burn site, there could be insects or plant-based pathogens that are naked to the human eye. Insect larvae are known to be hidden in leaves and under bark, causing them to spread quickly in transport.
Alternative firewood products such as compressed wood chip products, wood pellets, or manufactured logs are considered safe to move.
Locally cut firewood can also be moved locally and burned locally. Asking the seller, the origin of your wood is always a safe practice.
At Fire Pit Art®, we care about the health of our ecosystems and the wood you burn. Choose the best firewood for your fire pit, and remember to buy local and burn local.