Many people take wood from their properties as they head out to camp, hunt, or enjoy the great outdoors, but most don’t realize their wood may be hiding the eggs, larvae, spores, adults, or even seeds of invasive threats.
Transporting infested firewood allows invasives to spread further and faster than these pests could or would have on their own.
October as National Firewood Awareness Month, a good time to remind New Yorker’s to prevent the spread of damaging invasive species by following state firewood requirements when obtaining wood for campfires.
In 2009, New York State enacted a regulation to prevent this accidental and often long-distance spread by limiting the transportation of firewood. The regulation pertains to all species of firewood, cut or not cut, split or not split.
Untreated firewood may not be imported into New York from any other state or country.
Untreated firewood grown in New York may not be transported more than 50 miles (linear distance) from its source or origin unless it has been heat-treated to 71° C (160° F) for 75 minutes. Origin refers to where the wood was grown. Source is for producers of firewood to help account for wood from different origins that may become co-mingled as the firewood is processed. Producers must maintain records of where they acquire wood from and ensure the origins are within 50 miles of the source, which is usually the address of their business.
When transporting firewood, the following documentation is required:
If transporting untreated firewood cut for personal use (i.e. not for sale) fill out a Self-Issued Certificate of Origin (PDF).
If purchasing and transporting untreated firewood, it must have a receipt or label that identifies the firewood source. Consumers need to use the source to determine how far the firewood may be transported.
If purchasing and transporting heat-treated firewood, it must have a receipt or label that says, “New York Approved Heat-Treated Firewood/Pest Free.” This is the producers’ declaration that the firewood meets New York’s heat-treatment requirements. Most “kiln-drying” processes meet the standard, but not all, so it is important to look for the appropriate label. Heat-treated firewood may be moved unrestricted.
Some invasive pests of concern and their respective hosts:
Asian loghorned beetle – maple, birch, ash, sycamore, poplar, willow, elm, hackberry, mountain ash, horse-chestnut;
Oak wilt – oak, especially red oak; Emerald ash borer – all ash species (white, black, green); Asian gypsy moth – more than 500 hosts including oak, basswood, birch, poplar, alder, willow, larch, hemlock, pine, and spruce; Light brown apple moth – apple, oak, pine, poplar, walnut; and Brown spruce longhorned beetle – spruce.
Any law enforcement officer can enforce this regulation and violations may result in a ticket that carries a $250 fine in addition to other penalties. Untreated firewood moved more than 50 miles may be ordered to be returned to its source/origin or confiscated and destroyed. Failing to follow the regulation could also lead to greater impacts well beyond a ticket fee, such as:
- the death of trees in favorite campgrounds and neighborhoods;
- the loss of trees and forest habitats critical to many species of wildlife including rare, threatened, and endangered species;
- untold ecological impacts from the loss of entire species (akin to the loss of American chestnut or American elm);
- millions of dollars to remove infested or dead trees from campgrounds, yards, parks, playgrounds, and community streets; and
- millions of dollars in liability exposure for public and private property owners from dead and dying trees.
More information is available on DEC’s website.
For more information on firewood regulations, email foresthealth@dec.ny.gov or call 1-866-640-0652.
Photo of wood pile courtesy Wikimedia user Chmee2.
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