What is the “Don’t Move Firewood Campaign” and how does it protect our forest and your Nashville landscape?  Say you and your friends or family are going to a cozy cabin in the woods a couple of hours away.  You know you’re going to need firewood so you think “Why not pack a few pieces from our own log pile?”  Sounds reasonable but here’s the problem.  Invasive insect species live in our firewood even if we can’t see them.  When we transport them to another area we are taking the risk of killing the surrounding forest.  Even moving firewood one or two counties away can be a problem.

Below is an overview of the frequently asked questions page from the dontmovefirewoopd.org website.

5 Things to Know About The Don’t Move Firewood Campaign

  1. As a rule of thumb, moving firewood 50 miles or more is too far, 10 miles or less is okay.  Even if it’s from your own yard and there are no alerts or quarantines in your area, moving firewood is a problem.  It may take years for the authorities to recognize an outbreak and by then you may have already spread the disease if you move firewood to a new area.
  2. Many states have set rules, regulations, and quarantines that stipulate the rules clearly. Check with your state’s authorities before considering moving firewood.
  3. Never assume your firewood is safe because you don’t see any evidence of insects. It’s impossible to see some of the pin head size eggs from some invasive species.
  4. It’s best to buy packaged heat treated firewood with the USDA APHIS seal or a state based (like the Department of Agriculture) heat treated seal.  “Kiln-dried” wood is not the same and should not be transported.
  5. Most state parks have a store where you may purchase safe wood.  It’s worth it to keep our forest safe for generations to come.

Can I use wood from the property I’m visiting?

While at your destination, using firewood, brush and debris from the area is fine as long as you don’t transport it too far…remember the 10 mile rule above..and if it’s permitted by the land owner.

Need More Information on the Don’t Move Firewood Campaign?

The Don’t Move Firewood Campaign is run by The Nature Conservancy’s Forest Health Protection Services in cooperation with the Continual Dialog on Non-Native Forest Insects and Diseases.   Their About Us page is chock full of helpful information.  You can download their shortened FAQ page about the Don’t Move Firewood Campaign here.

Being informed and doing our part to keep our forest and landscapes healthy is a win-win for everyone!

Please help us share this information by sharing it with your friends and family.

“Planting The Good Life”

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