Eurasian Watermilfoil and now the Emerald Ash Borer

Firewood Movement and Forest Pests (from Minnesota DNR)

Movement of firewood has been closely associated with the spread of several very damaging forest pests, including the emerald ash borer (EAB), Sirex wood wasp, gypsy moth, Asian long-horned beetle, and a number of other wood-boring insects, plus decay and wood-stain fungi as well as the pathogens that cause Dutch elm disease, oak wilt, and sudden oak death.

Firewood is a prime candidate for movement of forest pests into new areas since, unlike other forest products such as nursery stock and lumber, the movement of firewood is largely unregulated because it relies heavily on individuals and small operations that come and go.
Our state forests and neighborhood trees are at particular risk from EAB. Minnesota has the third largest volume of ash timber in the nation and ash trees were used extensively as street trees to replace elms lost to Dutch elm disease in the ‘70s and ‘80s.

What Can I Do to Help “Slow the Spread”?

When camping or picnicking at a state park, state forest campground or day-use area, or any other DNR facility, purchase your firewood from the park or a local vendor. Don’t bring firewood from home.
Check with the state park or state forest campground before you leave home to make sure you know the latest recommendations and regulations on firewood movement to and within Minnesota.
Don’t transport wood from your home area to your lake cabin or other recreation sites around the state. Buy your firewood locally from someone who harvests Minnesota-grown trees.

EAB is a tiny bug that is devastating forests and neighborhood trees in Canada and several of Minnesota’s neighboring states. To date, EAB has killed more than 20 million ash trees and infested over 40,000 square miles in Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, and parts of Canada.

Approximately 50 percent of overnight visitors typically bring firewood to Minnesota state parks and state forest campgrounds annually, putting state lands at risk for pest infestations.

Picture this: Insect pests spread at a rate of about 0.5 to 2 miles per year on their own. When they are carried on firewood, their spread rate jumps to 55 miles per hour.

A new law forbids visitors to state parks and forests from bringing their own firewood unless
it comes from a source approved by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
Signed May 3 by Gov. Tim Pawlenty, the law is designed to prevent the spread of emerald ash
borer and other invasive tree pests. The law makes it illegal to possess firewood on
DNR-administered lands unless the wood is obtained from a distribution facility within such
lands or purchased from a dealer who has been approved by the department. Violators would be
subject to a $100 civil penalty. The bill went into effect immediately.