Arlington, U.S.A. — Thousands of Americans celebrate Independence Day by heading to national and state parks, campgrounds, and forests to enjoy the outdoors. Many will bring along their own firewood for convenience, not realizing that bringing firewood from home poses a serious risk to the nation’s forests by potentially spreading tree-killing pests. Many states, and several federal agencies, consider this risk severe enough to implement regulations restricting the movement of firewood, and in some places violations can come with a hefty fine.

“The Fourth of July holiday is a time when we all remember what an amazing country we live in, and healthy trees and forests are integral to the beauty of our lands and waters,” said Leigh Greenwood, Don’t Move Firewood campaign manager, The Nature Conservancy. “Tens of thousands of trees are destroyed every year by invasive tree-killing insects, and one of the most important steps everyone can take to protect our natural heritage is to stop moving forest pests to new areas on firewood. It’s really that simple.”

In many states, regulations limit how far firewood can be legally transported, and some states prohibit the entrance of out-of-state firewood altogether. These regulations most frequently include prohibitions against moving firewood over 50 miles or over state lines, although some states have stricter limits in place. For example, some states prohibit movement of firewood to state parks or other state-managed lands from more than 25 miles away. Additionally, the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has federal quarantines in many states on wood products (including firewood, wooden pallets, and other materials) that could harbor pests like the Asian long-horned beetle, emerald ash borer, and other damaging pests and pathogens.

“We encourage everyone to help protect our country’s natural resources from invasive species,” said APHIS spokesperson Joelle Hayden. “Taking basic steps – like not moving firewood and following federal and state quarantines – will help keep these dangerous pests from spreading unintentionally.”

More than 450 non-native forest insects and diseases are now established in the United States. While most can’t move far on their own, many pests can hitchhike undetected on firewood, starting new infestations in locations hundreds of miles away. These infestations can destroy forests, lower property values, and cost huge sums of money to control. Over the last hundred years, introduced species of invasive insects and diseases have killed tens of millions of trees in forests, cities, and towns across the country. In addition to the Asian long horned beetle and emerald ash borer, these tree-killing pests include Dutch elm disease, Sirex woodwasp, thousand cankers disease, hemlock woolly adelgid, sudden oak death, laurel wilt, and many others.

Following are tips from the Don’t Move Firewood campaign:

• Take care to respect all state and local regulations on the movement of firewood and other unprocessed wood – some areas are subject to serious fines for violations.
• For a list of federal and state quarantine areas, visit: http://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/quarantine-counties.html.
• Obtain firewood near the location where you will burn it – that means the wood was cut in a nearby forest, in the same county, or a maximum of 25-50 miles from where you’ll have your fire depending on state regulations.
• Commercially kiln-dried wood is a good option if you must transport firewood.
• If you notice an insect or tree disease you don’t recognize, take a photo or obtain a specimen of it, and compare it to Web site photos of the suspected pest. A good resource to help in identification is: http://www.dontmovefirewood.org/gallery-of-pests.
• Tell your friends and others about the risks of moving firewood – no one wants to be responsible for starting a new pest infestation.

The article Protect America’s Forests: Don’t Move Firewood appeared first on The Toonari Post - News, Powered by the People!.

Buying freshly-cut evergreen trees and greenery to decorate during the holiday season is a time-honored and favorite tradition. Unfortunately, harmful non-native insects and diseases can hitchhike on these trees and branches, starting new infestations in communities that were previously pest-free.

This has become such a serious problem that federal and state governments now regulate the movement of Christmas trees, holiday wreaths, and related material. Buying locally cut trees from established vendors is better for the economy and the environment.

More than 450 non-native forest insects are now established in the United States. Federal and state regulations require certain conditions be met in order to move Christmas trees and wreaths out of areas quarantined due to pest infestations. These regulations are aimed at stopping the spread of gypsy moth, pine shoot beetle, sudden oak death (a tree disease), and other forest pests, which can be transported on holiday plant material.

“Many people have become aware that moving firewood from one locality to another can create new pest infestations, and we want them to realize that movement of other forest products, such as Christmas trees, is another pathway for these insects and diseases to spread,” said Leigh Greenwood, Don’t Move Firewood campaign manager, The Nature Conservancy.

“The best advice is to buy or cut trees and greenery that are grown locally if possible, and when that’s not possible, to buy from a reputable dealer who can provide information about the origin of the products.”

Disposal of Christmas trees and other decorative greenery is also very important in stopping the spread of invasive insects and diseases. Trees and greenery should not be discarded in any area where pests that might be present on them can infect surrounding trees in the spring.

“Many people think they are doing the right thing when they dispose of their Christmas trees in areas where the tree can decompose naturally,” said Greenwood. “However, since these trees and greenery might be harboring pests that can spread to other trees, the best method of disposal is through a municipal or other tree recycling service.”

Following are tips for reducing the risk of spreading forest pests this Christmas. For the complete list of the “12 Tree Tips of Christmas” about decorating for the holidays with live-cut trees and greenery, please visit: www.dontmovefirewood.org/HolidayGreenery.

• Cut your own tree from a nearby national forest or state land, if possible. Permits are usually inexpensive, and it can be a fun family tradition.
• When buying a real tree from a vendor, make sure they are reputable local dealers. Fly-by-night operators are less likely to comply with state or federal regulations.
• Recycle your Christmas tree whenever possible. Many areas now offer a post-Christmas curbside pickup, and the trees are typically chipped or ground to use in mulch. Look for information specific to your area in your local newspaper.
• Don’t throw out your tree and holiday greenery on a home compost or brush pile – they could contain weed seeds or foreign bugs that can infest the trees around your house.

To learn more about how to prevent forest pests from destroying forests, log onto www.dontmovefirewood.org.

The article Buy Local Holiday Greenery to Avoid Inviting Extra Pests appeared first on The Toonari Post - News, Powered by the People!.