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 such as spotted lanternfly, Asian longhorned beetle, thousand cankers disease or 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 great 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 wood from where you will burn it and avoid moving firewood over great distances; their motto is Buy Local & Burn Local.
This summary is accurate to the best of DMF staff abilities as of 19 January 2022.
General Iowa Web Resources:
- Firewood in Iowa
- Iowa Tree Pests
- Iowa Department of Natural Resources -Emerald Ash Borer page
- Iowa State University Extension – Explanation of Firewood Labeling Requirements
- Iowa Forest Health
- Pest Diagnostic Clinic, Iowa State University
Pest Specific Information
- Emerald Ash Borer Information, Iowa Department of Natural Resources
- Emerald Ash Borer Information-Iowa State University
- Emerald Ash Borer Now Infests 80 Iowa Counties (2020)
- Spongy Moth Information
- Spongy Moth in North America Quarantine Map
- Thousand Cankers Disease Information
Firewood Business Related Information:
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