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Cracker · 05-24-2007, 06:40 AM

An interesting and timely article just appeared in an AP release concerning
the transporting of firewood from home to any given campsite.

"Campers Asked to Leave Firewood at Home
By DAVID TIRRELL-WYSOCKI
Associated Press Writer"

For reasons unknown to me I couldn't get the article to copy - but the drift of the article is that transporting firewood also transports forest-damaging insects from other areas that would otherwise take years to migrate. In some cases, entirely new species can be introduced due to the transporting of foreign woods that were used to make shipping crates.

I'm sure that you can find the article with a simple search. It originated in Concord, NH. This was certainly an eye-opener for me!

Mrs_RedSHED · 05-24-2007, 06:50 AM

Looks like your link didn't work. I'm guessing it is an article concerning the Emerald Ash Borer? Since we camp most often in Indiana, Ohio and sometimes Michigan we've heard much about it. We no longer transport firewood, which has it's ups and downs.

The "ups"
- We keep less firewood at home which makes our termite fearing neighbor slightly more comfortable.
- Since we don't carry firewood in the truck anymore, there is less worrying about the possibility of the stuff shifting and causing damage to bicycles.

The "downs"
- We have to search and pay for firewood as we go from campground to campground.
- Every once-in-while you pay for firewood only to find out it is greener than you thought and burns lousy or not at all.

Overall, we really don't mind.

- Mrs RedSHED

Boondocker · 05-24-2007, 06:50 AM

Is this the article? AP News from the Traverse City Record-Eagle

Cracker · 05-24-2007, 06:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gen Disarray

Is this the article? AP News from the Traverse City Record-Eagle

No - that article is specific to one particular bug. The other article was general in nature - addressing all types of "foreign" (---to any given area) insects.

rebel beck · 05-24-2007, 07:23 AM

I just came in from loading a load to take this weekend. I'm sorry but when it's a $1 a stick at the campground I'll bring my own.

Boondocker · 05-24-2007, 07:26 AM

Are there any issues with moving wood about the west? I like to gather wood in the national forest and take it with me into the parks where you have to buy it at $5 a box. Having said that I dont care to be the typhoid Mary of the forest world.

Cracker · 05-24-2007, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rebel beck

I just came in from loading a load to take this weekend. I'm sorry but when it's a $1 a stick at the campground I'll bring my own.

Your comment speaks volumes!

Mrs_RedSHED · 05-24-2007, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gen Disarray

I dont care to be the typhoid Mary of the forest world.

From what I understand, the Emerald Ash Borer is a very serious issue. We're talking they could and quite possibly may wipe out the Ash trees. There are people storing seeds for years later when and if the threat goes away.

I love to go camping and part of the reason is I really like trees. I'm probably not a tree hugger but I will do my part.

Mrs RedSHED

HowieE · 05-24-2007, 08:17 AM

In Ohio last year there was a sign as you got on the ferry to go to one of the islands off Sandusky. Campers a $4000.00 fine for carring fire wood onto the island. The Emerald Ash Borer is coming south from Michigan and Ohio has clearly taken an interest. Needless to say I had a full load in the back of the Suburban so I did not visit the island that day.

Fyrzowt · 05-24-2007, 08:34 AM

It's interesting that you talk about a prohibition on bringing wood INTO a camping area from home.
Last month we camped in the Los Padres NF north of Fort Hunter Liggett, CA. Near King City. The rangers had no issues with any of the wood that we brought in to burn, which included pallets that one fellow brought. Their concern was that we not take wood out and back home. They are concerned about spreading "Sudden Oak Death Syndrome" through spores carried in/on the wood.
Their concern with bringing wood into the site seemed to be reduced or non-existant, due to the fact that we were burning the wood at the site, thereby killing any spores.
FWIW,
Dave

Minnie's Mate · 05-24-2007, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fyrzowt

Their concern with bringing wood into the site seemed to be reduced or non-existant, due to the fact that we were burning the wood at the site, thereby killing any spores.
FWIW,
Dave

Yeah, but actual "bugs" would leave the imported wood as soon as it began to burn and thereby invest the nearest trees of their liking. I don't think burning would kill the bugs, just hasten their departure from the imported wood and cause their spread that much faster.

Fyrzowt · 05-24-2007, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Minnie's Mate

Yeah, but actual "bugs" would leave the imported wood as soon as it began to burn and thereby invest the nearest trees of their liking. I don't think burning would kill the bugs, just hasten their departure from the imported wood and cause their spread that much faster.

You're probably right. In this case it was spores that they were considering rather than insects, on oak wood. Though I suppose some spores can travel airborn as well.....
Dave

guy99 · 05-24-2007, 09:18 AM

Campers asked to leave firewood at home - Yahoo! News Emerald Ash Borer

rickandsandi · 05-24-2007, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by guy99

Campers asked to leave firewood at home - Yahoo! News Emerald Ash Borer

This has been policy for the past few years at most State Parks and also at all National Parks. We have seen this posted at campgrounds all across the country as we traveled last year. Not a bad idea as long as the locals to campgrounds don't start getting gready and price gouging starts with firewood along with gas!

balrgn · 05-24-2007, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by guy99

Campers asked to leave firewood at home - Yahoo! News Emerald Ash Borer

What next, no grocery items?

Hey, we have Liquor stores along our major hiways.

Smokin Camel · 05-24-2007, 09:43 AM

We have the same concerns in Wisconsin with the Emeral Ash Borer.

WDNR - Invasive Species

A LaCrosse headquartered company in Wisconsin that sells lumber, tools etc. was reprimanded and I believe paid some sort of forfeiture for selling firewood imported from an infested area of Illinois.

Unfortunately like many invasive species like the Gypsy Moth and Dutch Elm disease it will make it here someday.

doorgunner · 05-24-2007, 09:50 AM

I've seen the damage beetles did in the Colorado mts when I lived there, not pretty. I do bring my firewood with me, luckily I get mine from a pallett recycling yard. It's the broken boards they cannot use.It IS NOT bug infested!! Good burning hardwood and it stacks together nice in the TV. I'm now waiting for some bumble head host or whatever to tell me I can not burn it. Just another front to assault. DG

peegreen · 05-24-2007, 09:52 AM

At the Canadian border they asked if we had any firewood..... Why yes we did and the offload was not pretty. They had a huge storage bin where all the contraban wood was stored. Many of it still in the bags you buy at convenience stores labeled "Product of Quebec". On the way back to the states we crossed at the same place and had about a 2 hour wait in traffic. I looked in the bin and my wood was still there - I didn't ask for it back. Before we left, we checked the Web for restrictions entering Cananda; explosives, firearms..... firewood was not on the list.

HowieE · 05-24-2007, 10:04 AM

peegreen

That's a very interesting comment about the Canadian boarder. It is interesting that they will go after fire wood when if you sit at the boarder for any amount of time you will soon realize that ever 3rd. truck going in either direction is a load of uncut Lumber.

It must be an if you can "smoke it thing".

The Canadians are begining to feel thier power. As thier currency is about to overtake ours through the value of oil and other natural resources they no longer have to cow tow to us.

tin sista · 05-24-2007, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rickandsandi

This has been policy for the past few years at most State Parks and also at all National Parks.

I am glad to hear that awareness is spreading about the ash borer and other pests, a couple years ago the USDA had folks at key northern rest stops in Michigan telling us not to transport firewood and why, etc. We stopped bringing our own firewood two years ago. I think its worth it to try and prevent the spread of these pests. In our neighborhood we've lost several large ash trees. Its sad to see.