Oak trees cut in New Jersey?

Dear Don’t Move Firewood,

I live in NJ near the Asian Longhorn beetle problem… I was browsing on Craigslist for something and came across this guy trying to sell his oak trees in (town), NJ. This got me worried and want to ensure it was OK for him to move this stuff all over the state but I can’t find any info anywhere on how to check it out or who to alert that he is doing this. Is moving this wood OK?

Yours,

Concerned Citizen (editor’s note: question was edited for length)

 

Dear Concerned Citizen,

I’m so glad you asked, because this is a common scenario. Someone cuts down trees and wants to get rid of the wood. What then? Well, for New Jersey, let’s ask Carl Schulz, Director of the Division of Plant Industry for the New Jersey Department of Agriculture, for an official statement. Here’s what Carl says:

 

“The State of New Jersey does not regulate the movement of firewood, now that the ALB quarantine has been rescinded, following our successful eradication campaign in partnership with the USDA APHIS Plant Protection and Quarantine program and the New Jersey Forest Service.   The Department of Agriculture has an aggressive outreach project to strongly encourage consumers to buy their firewood locally, and to not transport firewood.

 

The National Park Service doesn’t allow firewood to be brought into their campgrounds at Delaware Water Gap or Sandy Hook; the New Jersey Division of Parks & Forestry discourages visitors from bringing firewood in their facilities – firewood can be purchased at most New Jersey State Parks with camping facilities; and the majority of private campgrounds in New Jersey do not allow firewood to be brought into their campgrounds and have firewood available for purchase.”

 

So the short answer is that while this oak wood should not be moved, it isn’t regulated nor prohibited. It is just strongly suggested that they not move it very far. There would be nothing wrong with someone selling oak wood locally- perhaps a neighbor wants to use it as firewood, or a custom furniture maker in town wants the oak slabs for woodwork. That’d be fine. But it is inadvisable to move it more than 50 miles maximum, ideally under 10 or 20.

 

Also, one final point of clarification for readers. While moving oak wood isn’t a good idea because it could spread all sorts of pests that affect oak (potentially pests like oak wilt, sudden oak death, spongy moth, others) the Asian longhorned beetle itself does not infest oaks. Plenty of pests do infest oaks, but ALB does not.

 

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  • Below is our archive with topics listed in brief, or you can see a list on our Resource Library.

2021

  • Firewood Outreach Professional News  August 2021 – Tree Check Month wraps up Tuesday!, Firewood Exchange Model on Prince Edward Island, New Collection of Publications on the Costs of Invasive Species, Propose a candidate name for Lymantria dispar, NAISMA Annual Meeting will be all virtual, Spotted lanternfly confirmed in Indiana and Ohio, Summer Firewood Successes!
  • Firewood Outreach Professional News  Late May 2021 – PlayCleanGo Week is coming right up, New Firewood Kiln Certification, Treatments, and Labeling Factsheet, Plan for Tree Check Month in August, Nearing 10 years of GALS, Summer analysts are here
  • Firewood Outreach Professional News  Early May 2021 – National Invasive Species Awareness Week Part Two is NOW!, PlayCleanGo Week is SOON!, Congratulations to EAB-U!, Highlighted Webinars and Virtual Meetings, California enacts emerald ash borer quarantine, Emerald Ash Borer Awareness Content
  • Firewood Outreach Professional News  April 2021 – “If I can’t bring firewood with me, where can I buy it?”, Should Canada continue to regulate to try to stop emerald ash borer spread?, Emerald Ash Borer Deregulation and Programs Going Forward, April is Invasive Plant Pest and Disease Awareness Month, Asian longhorned beetle in South Carolina, New advertisement art available
  • Firewood Outreach Professional News  Late February 2021 – National Invasive Species Awareness Week is upon us!, Firewood Outreach Calendar helps you plan, Upcoming Webinars in March and April, New Website for Spotted Lanternfly!, New feature alert!
  • Firewood Outreach Professional News  Early February 2021 – USDA APHIS deregulation of emerald ash borer completed, What do we know, in the scientific literature, about firewood and forest pests?, Upcoming Webinars and Virtual Meetings, Map Quiz: Emerald ash borer, Articles, blogs, and advice columns

2020

  • Firewood Outreach Professional News  December 2020 – USDA APHIS ending federal domestic emerald ash borer quarantine regulations, Time to talk about disposing of Christmas trees properly!, Winter Webinars and Virtual Meetings, Map Quiz: Emerald as borer, What happens next?
  • Firewood Outreach Professional News  November 2020 – Cutting down Christmas trees starts next week!, Winter Webinars and Virtual Meetings, Map Quiz: Black Ash, Help us Help trees!
  • Firewood Outreach Professional News  Late October 2020 – Firewood Month is all of October!, Next Week is National Forest Products Week, Fall Webinars and Meetings, Map Quiz: Murder Hornets, Firewood Month Headquarters
  • Firewood Outreach Professional News  Early October 2020 – October is Firewood Month!, Comment now on the status of a blight-resistant American Chestnut, Federal Quarantine on Pine Shoot Beetle will end November 2, 2020, Map Quiz: Spotted Lanternfly Current Finds, Firewood Month Headquarters
  • Firewood Outreach Professional News  July 2020 – Asian longhorned beetle infestation confirmed in South Carolina, Tree Check Month is coming in August, Plant Protection Act 7721 Funding Process Open, Smarter Invasive Species Terminology Use, Map Quiz: Good news on ALB, DMF Evaluation and Report is done!, We have started to ship your stuff!
  • Firewood Outreach Professional News  May 2020 – Outdoor Activity Messaging in an Altered Outreach Landscape, National Invasive Species Awareness Week – Part Two!, PlayCleanGo Week is coming in June, Advance you Knowledge for Tree Health, Map Quiz: 2020 new emerald ash borer county records, We still can’t ship your stuff
  • Firewood Outreach Professional News  March 2020 – GOOD NEWS: Outreach Items Ordering still available!, BAD NEWS: Outreach Item Shipping Delay Until Further Notice, Plant Protection Act Section 7721 FY20 Spending Plan Released, Fewer meetings = Newsletters are more important, Where isn’t the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug?, Webinar Recording: Regulations that apply to moving firewood right now
  • Firewood Outreach Professional News  February 2020 – Webinar Alert: Regulations that apply to moving firewood right now, Outreach Items Ordering Open Now!, National Invasive Species Awareness Week is nest week, Mediterranean vineyards snails, Online Resource Library is Stocked Up

2019

2018

  • Firewood Outreach Professional News  December 2018 – Tis the Season for Proper Disposal of Christmas Trees, January FOCI Webinar Bonanza, New paper on what motivates campers’ firewood behavior, Map Quiz: Asian longhorned tick, Save the Date for PlayCleanGo Week!
  • Firewood Outreach Professional News_November 2018 – We skimmed and sorted, so you don’t have to, Well rounded professional education for all!, Spruce Bark Beetle killing native and non-native spruce trees, Map Quiz: Rapid ʻōhiʻa Death, Christmas Tree Season is Here!
  • Firewood Outreach Professional News_Late September 2018 – Firewood Month starts next week!, Comment is open on proposal to deregulate emerald ash borer, Come to the Continental Dialogue Meeting!, Map Quiz! Soil Quarantines in the USA, Did you listen to the new radio ads?
  • Firewood Outreach Professional News_Early September 2018 – New Radio Ads for free download!, “Firewood import scheme off to good start”, Firewood Month will be this October, Canadian Firewood Research and Plan Now Available, Map Quiz: Anticipated Eradication Announcement is Where?, Vote Absentee or by Mail, Come to the Continental Dialogue Meeting this November!
  • Firewood Outreach Professional News_June 2018 – Maine and New Brunswick confirm presence of emerald ash borer, Celebrate the beauty of moths, Tree Check Month is in August!, Plan now for Firewood Workshops next year, Map Quiz: Northern Range of What?, How to order emerald ash borer tattoos, Will we see you in Irvine California?
  • Firewood Outreach Professional News  May 2018 – South Dakota and Vermont confirm presence of emerald ash borer, Emerald Ash Borer Awareness Week is next week!, E&E News publishes article on proposed EAB Deregulation, Save the Date! Continental Dialogue on Non-Native Forest Insects and Diseases Annual Meeting, Map Quiz: New(er) Spotted Lanternfly Occurrences, Firewood Regulations Vary by State
  • Firewood Outreach Professional News  March 2018 – Congratulations Farm Bill Section 10007 Recipients, Firewood Scout crosses the 10 state threshold, Coming up in April and May, Save the Date! Continental Dialogue on Non-Native Forest Insects and Diseases Annual Meeting, Green Mountain State finds a green invader, Your orders are coming soon!
  • Firewood Outreach Professional News  February 2018 – The Map Review needs YOU!, Did you miss the “Regulations that apply to moving firewood right now” webinar?, New Educational Video from Vermont, You deserve 15 minutes of fame, Map Quiz! Southern Pine Beetle may become southern again, Order FREE Tattoos, Stickers, or Postcards NOW!, Plan your Firewood Outreach Year
  • Firewood Outreach Professional News  January 2018 – Webinar Alert: Regulations that apply to moving firewood right now, Congratulations Minnesota and Kentucky!, National Invasive Species Awareness Week is February 26-March 2, 2018, Map Quiz! How far away is Nova Scotia?, Now Booking Spring and Summer Costume Calendar!, Plan your Firewood Outreach Year

2017

  • Firewood Outreach Professional News_ July 2017 – Get Ready for Great American Eclipse, Farm Bill 10007 Open Period, Is Offering Free Firewood a Viable Solution, Tree Check Month is in August, Map Quiz Path of Totality, Public Comment on Utah Regulations, Continental Dialogue reminder, National Moth Week in July
  • Firewood Outreach Professional News_ June 2017 – Tennessee Partnerships create success, National Moth Week is in July, Tree Check Month is in August, Map Quiz Brown Marmorated Stink Bug, Update Hemlock Wooly Adelgid in Michigan, Summer Inspiration
  • Firewood Outreach Professional News_ May 2017 – Emerald Ash Borer Awareness Week, Webinar Political Protest and Firewood Movement are a Tricky Combination, Save the Date on Continental Dialogue, Map Quiz Pine Shoot Beetle, New quick Don’t Move Firewood Videos
  • Firewood Outreach Professional News_ April 2017 – April is Invasive Plant Pest and Disease Awareness Month, Emerald Ash Borer Awareness Week is in May, FOCI Webinar Moving Firewood in the Western States, Map Quiz Mountain Pine Beetle, Pest Profile on Velvet Longhorned Beetle, Wanted Guest Blogs
  • Firewood Outreach Professional News_ January 2017 – Annual State Summary Review, Don’t let your forest pests visit North Dakota, 2017 NISAC, Webinar The People Have Spoken, Using Forest and Firewood National Polling Data, Map quiz Asian longhorned beetle across the pond, new Don’t Move Firewood website

2016

  • Firewood Outreach Professional News_ November 2016 –  Christmas tree buying, Firewood Awareness Month, Firewood for Home Heating Infographic, Map Quiz Brown Spruce Longhorn Beetle, Emerald Ash Borer University, Webinar on Forest and Firewood National Polling
  • Firewood Outreach Professional News_ October 2016 – Firewood Awareness Month, Webinar on Forest and Firewood Polling Survey, Bug Masks for Halloween, Map Quiz Plum Pox Virus, Firewood and Standing Rock Protest, Get Ready for Christmas Trees questions
  • Firewood Outreach Professional News_ September 2016 – Firewood Awareness Month in October, Webinar on Forest and Firewood 11 Year Polling Summary, Register for Continental Dialogue today, Spongy moth map quiz, Emerald ash borer map changes in Delaware and Rhode Island, Halloween Bug Masks
  • Firewood Outreach Professional News_ August 2016 – Tree Check Month, Comment period on IPPC International Movement of Wood Standards, Farm Bill Open period, Register for Continental Dialogue, Spongy Moths, Firewood Awareness Month, Don’t Move Firewood getting a new website
  • Firewood Outreach Professional News_ July 2016 – Don’t Move Firewood new website survey, August is Tree Check Month, Farm Bill open period, register for continental dialogue, emerald ash borer in nebraska, texas, and new city in Colorado, Firewood Awareness Week Partners
  • Firewood Outreach Professional News_ May 2016 – Let’s Go Camping infographic, Emerald ash borer week, continental dialogue meeting, Spotted lanternfly emergence is in May, Fact checking state summary
  • Firewood Outreach Professional News_ April 2016 – Emerald Ash Borer Awareness Week, EAB and ALB costumes, Laurel Wilt Recovery Plan, pine shoot beetle regulated area, Don’t Move Firewood success stories
  • Firewood Outreach Professional News_ March 2016 – New Hampshire on Firewood Scout, Get Ready for Adventure Infographic, Emerald Ash Borer University, Emerald Ash Borer Awareness Week, Treating Firewood is  Hot Topic, Emerald Ash Borer Map, Handouts for Summer Staff, Outreach materials ordering
  • Firewood Outreach Professional News_ February 2016 – Webinar Alert Treating Firewood is a hot topic, congratulations to Farm Bill 10007, NISAW 2016, new website addresses, changing firewood regulations, ordering outreach materials
  • Firewood Outreach Professional News_ January 2016 – State Summary Review, NISAW, Webinar on Encouraging Behavior change via social media, Disposing of Christmas Trees, Vermont firewood regulation, Ordering Outreach Materials, Bird watchers and the great Backyard Bird Count

2015

  • No newsletter in December, see you in 2016!
  • FOCI Newsletter 2015 November 12 – Firewood for Home Heating Infographic, Buying Christmas trees, Disposing of Christmas trees, Christmas Bird Count, Holes in Trees handout, polyphagous shot hole borer, kuroshio shot hole borer
  • FOCI Newsletter 2015 October 14 – Hungry Pests Middle School curriculum, Firewood webinar, french insect masks, spongy moth, brown marmorated stink bug
  • FOCI Newsletter 2015 September 12 – Continental Forest Dialogue, National Forest Products Week, Halloween bug masks, Laurel wilt geography
  • FOCI Newsletter 2015 August 12 – Tree Check Month, Asian longhorned beetle, spotted lanternfly, emerald ash borer geography
  • FOCI Newsletter 2015 July 15 – Tree Check Month, Asian longhorned beetle, Vermont Firewood Awareness Week success, Firewood Scout, California firewood task force
  • No newsletter in June
  • FOCI Newsletter 2015 May 13 – Emerald Ash Borer Awareness Week, Vermont Firewood Awareness Week plans, Forest Pest Fly Tying Project, Kid’s Corner, Bug tattoos
  • FOCI Newsletter 2015 April 15 – Farm Bill 10007 funding, Arbor Day, Emerald Ash Borer Awareness Week, Continental Forest Dialogue, Asian longhorned beetle, Know your fire ants
  • FOCI Newsletter 2015 March 10 – Emerald Ash Borer Awareness Week, Firewood state summary and regulation map, Great Smoky Mountain National Park firewood regulation
  • FOCI Newsletter 2015 February 11 – Plant Heroes Curriculum Hub, Firewood Scout, Goldspotted oak borer distribution, Firewood toolbox
  • FOCI Newsletter 2015 January 14 – National Invasive Species Awareness Week, North Carolina Firewood Outreach, How to dispose of your Christmas Tree, Great Smoky Mountain National Park firewood regulation

2014

2013

Regrettably, while FOCI newsletters were issued prior to April of 2013, they were not maintained at permanent links and are no longer available.