Due to the destructive nature of forest pests that hide in firewood, Iowa has a labeling requirement for firewood offered, exposed, or sold in the state that must include information on harvest location by county and state. This regulation is meant to help state officials prevent the entry and spread of harmful pests and diseases known to spread on firewood such as spotted lanternfly, spongy moth, Asian longhorned beetle, walnut twig beetle, and emerald ash borer. Iowa is especially at risk for the invasive spongy moth due to nearby establishment in Wisconsin and Illinois. Travelers entering Iowa are strongly encouraged to leave out-of-state firewood behind. Within the state, Iowa’s Department of Natural Resources asks that you to buy wood from where you will burn it and avoid moving firewood over long distances.
Many Iowa State Parks offer on-site firewood for visitors; check if your destination is one of them before bringing firewood. Officials in Iowa encourage firewood users to Buy Local & Burn Local.
This summary is accurate to the best of DMF staff abilities as of 12 September 2022.
General Iowa Web Resources:
- Firewood Page, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship
- Explanation of Firewood Labeling Requirements, Iowa State University Extension
- Iowa Forest Health
- Pest Diagnostic Clinic, Iowa State University
- Buying and Selling Firewood in Iowa
Pest Specific Information
- Iowa Tree Pests: Iowa’s Invasive Insect and Disease Watchlist
- Emerald Ash Borer Info., Iowa Department of Natural Resources
- Spongy Moth Information
- Spongy Moth Federal Quarantine Map
- Thousand Cankers Disease Information
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