Fact Sheet 5.5 Preventing Firewood Movement

Firewood movement provides a pathway for Microsoft. from permission with used Photo invasive insects and disease-causing pathogens to move from one area to another, over short or long distances. Natural resource profes- sionals can play an important role in protect- ing forests and trees from the introduction of nonnative invasive insects and pathogens from transported firewood. In recent years, several regional and national efforts have formed to develop effective and cohesive approaches to prevent the spread of forest health pests by fire- wood movement. These efforts focus on three main strategies: communication and outreach, Many homeowners use fireplaces or wood-burning regulation, and voluntary compliance. stoves for heat during the winter.

Resource professionals can use materials and fireplaces or fire pits for cooking and enter- guidelines generated by these efforts and those taining purposes. An estimated 20.4 million suggested in this fact sheet to address the needs households utilize wood for heating residential and concerns of homeowners, outdoor enthu- spaces in the United States, consuming 27.4 siasts, park and campground staff, and wood million cords of wood per year (Houck et al. processors and producers who work and live 1998). Firewood users generally store firewood in interface areas. Resource professionals can on their property for their current and future also familiarize themselves with regulations use (Box 1). Outdoor enthusiasts often burn that affect firewood movement. This fact sheet firewood to cook food, generate heat, and cre- outlines common uses of firewood, gives some ate a cozy atmosphere for socializing. For many basic information about the spread of invasive people, a campfire is an integral part of an out- pests, describes ways natural resource profes- door experience. sionals can communicate and engage with different audiences, and explains the role of Basics of Invasive Pest regulation in preventing firewood movement. Infestations Common Uses of Firewood Forestry, natural resource, and agriculture agencies alone cannot control invasive pests. Firewood is used for many purposes and by These agencies can establish and/or maintain various groups of people living in the wildland- communication and outreach efforts with key urban interface. Many homeowners use fire- audiences who transport and use firewood. This places and wood-burning stoves for heat during will increase awareness and understanding the winter. Others have outdoor wood-burning of the issue and generate support to prevent,

Written by Robert Trickel, North Carolina Forest Service; Nicole Wulff and Bill Jones, US Forest Service

Changing Roles: WUI Professional Development Program 1 Fact Sheet 5.5

Natural resource professionals can begin to Box 1: Recommendations for Storing equip stakeholders to participate in the effort Firewood to prevent the spread of invasive pests by the movement of firewood. Providing key audiences • Store firewood away from houses with this general information is a critical first and wooden structures to minimize step. fire hazard and to reduce the risk of exposing wood structures to wood- damaging insects (ants and termites) Communicating With and and wood-rotting fungi. Engaging Different Audiences • Store wood off the ground to facilitate drying and to discourage invasion by Natural resource professionals need to be con- insects and pathogens. sistent when relaying information about natu- ral resource issues to different audiences. Each • Burn, bury, or chip immediately any wood suspected of harboring invasive day, people are bombarded with messages to insects or pathogens. At a minimum, buy products, behave in a certain manner, and suspect firewood should be covered adopt a particular point of view. To ensure that with a plastic tarp with all edges the message about firewood movement is heard secured to the ground to keep insects and eventually leads to the desired change in or spores from escaping. behavior, the message must be simple, con- Source: Personal communication. 2012. Robert P. sistent, and tailored for different audiences. Trickel, Head, Forest Health Branch, North Carolina Southern forestry agencies are collaborating to Forest Service, 1616 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1616. develop unified messaging on this topic.

By engaging the key audiences who transport detect, control, and manage invasive pests and use firewood, natural resource profes- that are spread by the movement of firewood. sionals can slow the spread of invasive pests. Homeowners, outdoor enthusiasts, park and Each of the following key audiences can benefit campground staff, arborists and green industry from learning more about steps they can take to professionals, and wood producers and proces- decrease the risk of transporting pests through sors will benefit from learning basic informa- firewood movement. There are several actions tion about pest infestations. This will enable natural resource professionals can take to them to help natural resource and agriculture engage each of these audiences. professionals combat the spread of invasive pests and minimize the effects of these pests on Informing interface homeowners and the environment, economy, and human health. outdoor enthusiasts These basics include • tree species affected, It is important that homeowners and outdoor • effects of invasive pests on tree species, enthusiasts (campers, hunters, fishermen) be • signs and symptoms of infestation or aware of both the producer and origin of their infection, firewood. The most important action home- • existing and potential range of the pest, owners and outdoor enthusiasts can take is to • invasive pest management options and buy firewood from a reliable local producer approaches, and who participates in an inspection, treatment, • who to contact if they find something and labeling (certified pest free) program. suspicious. Homeowner and outdoor enthusiasts are

2 Emerging Issues Fact Sheet 5.5

• Urge people to leave firewood at home when they travel and to purchase fire- wood that is either from a local source or treated. • Provide brochures, posters, and flyers to community centers, outdoor and sporting goods stores, parks, campgrounds, and retail stores where firewood is sold. • Use existing networks to send out infor- mation about firewood movement.

Photo by: Larry Korhnak • Submit articles to local newsletters and It is recommended that outdoor enthusiasts be aware of press releases to news media to bring the producer and origin of their firewood. attention to the benefits of sourcing fire- recommended to purchase and use local sources wood locally. of firewood grown within a 50-mile radius of where it will be burned, even when traveling. Working with park and campground Transporting firewood to a campsite or cabin staff can increase the risk of introducing a new pest to an area. Travelers can increase their fuel Parks and campgrounds are highly susceptible efficiency by leaving their firewood at home and to introductions of new firewood-vectored pests thus lightening their load. The money saved can (Box 2). Park and campground staff members be used to purchase wood from a local producer have the most to gain by regulating the wood closer to their destination. that is brought onto their property. Park super- visors and campground managers should take active roles in minimizing the risk and spread Below is a list of some ways that natural of invasive pests. resource professionals can get involved with this group.

• Use consistent messaging, social market- Beattie Steve by: Photo ing, and media kits developed by southern forestry agencies. • Spread the word by attending commu- nity meetings and events, and outdoor- focused trade shows (featuring activities such as camping, hiking, hunting, and fishing) and club meetings. • Give presentations at Boy and Girl Scouts and other youth group meetings and events to teach new campers and their Treated firewood is often sold in familiar bundles and parents about the risks associated with appropriately labeled. transporting firewood.

Changing Roles: WUI Professional Development Program 3 Fact Sheet 5.5

Box 2: Long-Range Firewood Movement for Recreation The Bristol Motor Speedway in eastern of firewood were made as a result of viola- Tennessee is a popular track of the National tions of the emerald ash borer quarantine Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (Pentico 2006). The seized firewood came (NASCAR). Because it is the nation’s fourth from over 500 miles away. largest sports venue, fans come from all parts of the country to see racing events Venues that attract a large number of there. Many fans camp at one of the nearby camping visitors from across the nation campgrounds while traveling the race cir- pose a significant risk of the introduction of cuits in the spring and fall. invasive pests from firewood. Yet, these ven- ues also provide a unique opportunity for The speedway was hosting a major interagency collaboration on education and NASCAR event when the U.S. Department outreach efforts. Natural resource profes- of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health sionals and park and campground staff can Inspection Service (APHIS) and the work together to prevent the introduction Tennessee Department of Agriculture con- of invasive pests by firewood movement ducted a firewood survey and regulatory at a variety of events, such as sporting outreach effort in 2006. At campgrounds events, festivals, and historical reenactment near the speedway, the survey revealed that programs. campers from at least 14 states had trans- ported firewood to the race. Four seizures Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service 2011; Pentico 2006.

Here are some ways that natural resource pro- premises, standards for evaluating fire- fessionals can get involved with this group. wood risk, and steps to take if an insect or pathogen is suspected or detected. This • Encourage park and campground staff to information should be incorporated into display related brochures, posters, flyers, educational materials distributed to visi- and other educational materials and dis- tors. This is an alternative if a ban is not tribute these to visitors. possible. • Encourage parks to ban all firewood • Share examples of “wood swaps or that is not treated or produced locally. exchanges” with park and campground For example, in 2010 the Shenandoah staff. Swaps and exchanges allow visi- National Park issued a ban on firewood tors from more than 50 miles away to purchased or brought from outside the exchange their wood with local or treated park and allows campers to gather dead wood provided on-site. Staff members and downed firewood in the park or pur- then safely dispose of the campers’ chase it at the park’s camp stores (U.S. firewood. Department of the Interior 2010). • Encourage park staff to promote local • Encourage and assist park and camp- wood sales to incoming visitors prior to ground staff in the development of fire- their arrival. wood policies or plans that clearly define the types of firewood allowed on the

4 Emerging Issues Fact Sheet 5.5

• Encourage staff to sell locally produced or and landscape professionals can also be impor- treated firewood on-site and explain that tant partners in preventing the spread of inva- if on-site firewood is economically priced, sive pests through eradication efforts in urban then visitors will be more likely to leave areas. These groups can help landowners assess their wood at home. a landscape, choose suitable plants, and outline proper tree care to minimize stress on plants, • Suggest to park and campground staff that which can put them at greater risk of infestation the cost of firewood be incorporated into or infection (Vitosh, Iles, and Gleason 2008). use or access fees and provide local fire- wood on-site. Below is a list of some of the ways that natural • Help park and campground staff develop resource professionals can get involved with a recommended list of nearby producers this group. and retailers of locally sourced or treated firewood with contact information. The • Encourage arborists and landscape pro- list could be made available to users in fessionals to stay up to date on the inva- print and online formats to inform visi- sive pests existing in or threatening to tors of their local firewood sources as they enter their state and neighboring states. plan their trip. • Host an annual “Invasive Pest Field Day” that includes informative lectures on Working with arborists and green topics such as how to prevent the spread industry professionals of invasive pests. Continuing education Arborists and green industry professionals credits from the International Society of such as tree-care providers and landscape Arboriculture can be made available as architects are often in direct contact with inva- well. sive pests. These groups can play an invaluable • Encourage arborists who cut firewood, role in helping to prevent or contain infesta- either for sale or for the landowner, tions. They can identify and report the occur- to avoid transporting firewood more rence of invasive pests to forestry or agriculture than 50 miles from where the firewood agencies as soon as they are detected. Arborists originated.

Working with wood processors and producers Firewood producers range from individuals selling wood locally out of their pickup trucks to very large distributors that ship firewood from coast to coast. In addition to the effects that firewood movement can have on forest and tree health, there can also be consequences to industries responsible for harvesting, pro- cessing, transporting, and selling firewood. However, best management practices for wood Photo by: Andrew Koeser, ISA, Bugwood.org processors and producers are available to mini- Arborists and green industry professionals are often in mize the risk of spreading pests. These include direct contact with invasive pests.

Changing Roles: WUI Professional Development Program 5 Fact Sheet 5.5

harvesting and marketing firewood only from • Encourage national producers to adopt locally grown trees and using appropriate treat- a voluntary certification program with ments to produce safe, clean firewood that is labeling and recordkeeping for firewood easier to handle and transport. The preferred (National Plant Board 2010). treatment for firewood depends on the type of pest to be eliminated and can include heat Regulation of Firewood Movement treating, kiln drying, or debarking. For certain pests, removal of all the bark is acceptable, Firewood movement regulations can be com- but for others heat treatment or kiln drying is plex. The movement of items (including fire- necessary to make firewood safe to transport. wood) that can harbor damaging or destructive In some locations, these practices are voluntary. insects or pathogens may be regulated by the However, specific treatment is required by reg- federal government (APHIS) and/or by state ulations when wood is moved out of a quaran- agriculture departments. These regulations tined area. Some states also have nonvoluntary are usually expressed as quarantines. A quar- within-state regulations that apply. antine is established to contain a dangerous or destructive insect or pathogen to an affected area and/or to prevent the spread of a insect or Here are some ways that natural resource pro- pathogen to an unaffected area. Federal and fessionals can get involved with this group. state departments of agriculture work together to establish and enforce these regulations. The • Become familiar with the guidelines following are examples of species that have and regulations in the state, and refer prompted federal or state quarantines: Asian questions and express concerns about longhorned beetle, emerald ash borer, gypsy firewood movement to the state’s plant moth, pine shoot beetle, sudden oak death health director at the following Web site pathogen, sirex wood wasp, hemlock woolly (www.aphis.usda.gov). Report a pest by adelgid, and European larch canker pathogen selecting the “Report a Pest” link on the (U.S. Department of Agriculture 2011). right side of the screen. The state plant regulatory official in each statewww. ( In the case of emerald ash borer, APHIS nationalplantboard.org/) can also provide cooperates with agriculture departments in useful information on movement of both the affected states to enforce quarantines to federally-regulated and state-regulated prevent the spread of emerald ash borer out of materials (including firewood) into and affected areas by restricting the movement of within each state. certain items, including firewood. In the case of • Inform firewood processors and distribu- thousand cankers disease (TCD), which infects tors that they can contact U.S. Department walnut trees, there are no federal quarantines. of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Since TCD was found in Tennessee in August Inspection Services (APHIS) or their state 2010, the Tennessee Department of Agriculture agriculture department to find out more has enacted a quarantine to regulate the move- about compliance agreements necessary ment of walnut logs from any affected counties to move firewood into or out of regulated into unaffected counties within the state. At areas. the same time, the North Carolina Department of Agriculture has established a quarantine to • Encourage wood processors and produc- prevent the movement of potentially infected ers to adopt best management practices logs from Tennessee into North Carolina. for firewood (National Plant Board 2010).

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There are usually stipulations written into of firewood cut from all tree species should quarantine regulations that allow for the be discouraged, not just those associated with movement of regulated items when it has been known pests. Emerging and existing voluntary determined that the items are uncontaminated compliance practices, and federal and state out- or, alternatively, are processed to make sure reach and regulatory efforts will help prevent damaging insects or pathogens are destroyed. firewood movement, and thus the introduction To make this determination, the firewood must and establishment of invasive pests. Natural be inspected and certified by regulating agen- resource professionals can play a significant cies. Firewood processors can work with their role by educating interface homeowners and states’ agriculture departments to find out the outdoor enthusiasts. They can also work with best way to distribute uncontaminated fire- park and campground staff, arborists and green wood. A state can then enter into a “compliance industry professionals, and wood processors agreement” with a processor to allow shipment and producers to prevent the spread of invasive of treated firewood out of affected areas or into pests by firewood movement. unaffected areas. These processors are then allowed to indicate on their firewood labels that their product has been treated for pests in com- References pliance with applicable laws. Houck, J. E.; P. E. Tiegs; R. C. McCrillis; C. Keithley; and J. Crouch. 1998. “Air Emissions Some states have enacted broader firewood reg- from Residential Heating: The Wood Heating ulations regarding the import and movement of Option Put into Environmental Perspective.” untreated wood rather than targeting a specific In Proceedings of a U.S. EPA and Air Waste pest. For example, a Florida statute regulates Management Association Conference: Emission untreated wood, including firewood, mov- Inventory: Living in a Global Environment 1: 373– ing more than 50 miles. It requires firewood 384. December 8–10, New Orleans LA. producers and distributors to be inspected and certified. As firewood movement is increas- Jacobi, W. R.; B.A. Goodrich; and C. M. Cleaver. ingly recognized as a pathway for invasive pests, 2011. Firewood Transport by National and State this type of law may become more common Park Campers: A Risk for Native and Exotic in the region. Natural resource professionals Tree Pest Movement. Arboriculture and Urban can contact their state plant health director at Forestry37: 126-138. the following Web site: (www.aphis.usda.gov). The state plant regulatory agency in each state National Plant Board.2010. National Firewood (http://www.nationalplantboard.org/) can also Task Force Recommendations, http://national- provide useful information on movement of plantboard.org/docs/NFTF_Recommendations_ both federally-regulated and state-regulated Final_March_2010_1.doc. materials (including firewood) into and within each state. Pentico, E. W. 2006. Great Smoky Mountains Regulatory Outreach Operation, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Summary Inspection Service, Plant Protection and Quarantine, Emerald Ash Borer Program, Agencies and forestry professionals cannot pre- Brighton, MI. August 22–25, Gatlinburg TN. dict the next major forest pest introduction nor foretell the pest’s ultimate range or preferred U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and hosts. Therefore, the long-range movement Plant Health Inspection Service. 2011. Risk

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Assessment of the Movement of Firewood within the United States,http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ newsroom/hot_issues/firewood/down loads/ firewood_pathway_assessment.pdf.

U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service. 2010. Shenandoah National Park to Ban Outside Firewood in March. News release.

Vitosh, M.; J. Iles; and M. Gleason. 2008. Sustainable Urban Landscapes: Understanding Decline in Trees(SUL2). Ames IA: Iowa State University, Cooperative Extension Service, Forestry and Horticulture, http://www.plantpath.iastate.edu/files/SUL2.pdf.

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