Two weeks ago we were reminded why we shouldn’t move firewood – even in the absence of an official regulation.
Two weeks ago we were reminded why we shouldn’t move firewood – even in the absence of an official regulation. A visiting forester discovered the emerald ash borer in Fairfax County Virginia. A second outbreak was detected days later 20 miles away. These previously unknown outbreaks had been there for several years and had already killed more than 20 trees.
If unsuspecting homeowners took wood from these or other ash trees to burn as firewood on camping trips or to fuel the fireplaces of friends or relatives, they helped to spread this highly damaging pest to yet more places.
Virginia has now quarantined 5 counties and several towns in Northern Virginia; it is now illegal to move hardwood firewood from these areas.
It is also unwise – although not illegal – to move ash wood within the quarantine area.
This alarming situation reminds us of how important our message to not move firewood really is, even when the wood seems healthy. You never know what might be lurking inside.
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