PA Firewood Quarantine
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How do they enforce this? I can see regular bulk dealers in a position to know the wood is out of state and act on the ban.
But individuals----how can they know? Pieces of firewood are not stamped or labeled "Made in Podunk" or wherever.
BTB
But individuals----how can they know? Pieces of firewood are not stamped or labeled "Made in Podunk" or wherever.
BTB
This isn't something new, State Parks and National parks as well as Minnesota and Wisconsin started it a while ago, local wood sellers just hate to see you dragging in your own firewood to a camp ground when they can sell you 5 stiks for $5... it's not uncommon to see a truck/trailer pulled over by the State Patrol inspecting a load of timber/fire wood. Only problem they the states are running into is log home mfg's and lumber yards etc, the wood may be coming from down south (SC/NC etc..) So who's to say that isn't contaminated as well... Big can of worms if you ask me, I already sent a letter of complaint to the local Gov't reps saying this was just another DNR attempt at saving somebodys job......
T
T
I think mostly it's an attempt to stop the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB), which kills off all the ash trees in a wide radius from sources of infestation.
I understand and sympathize with the cynical view that this is just a scheme by campgrounds and local firewood producers to hose the tourists down a little more, but I think that in the case of the EAB, it's a legitimate concern.
I understand and sympathize with the cynical view that this is just a scheme by campgrounds and local firewood producers to hose the tourists down a little more, but I think that in the case of the EAB, it's a legitimate concern.
In the Allegheny National Forest in our part of the state, you are prohibited from bring in any firewood from anywhere except Warren, Elk, Forest, and McKean counties. EAB is here, down near Pittsburgh and Butler, and since it is now east of Cleveland, I'm sure it will be found in Erie county soon. It's a real shame, since there is a LOT of ash growing in our area. We have about 20 nice sized trees in our woods and I'm watching them for any signs of decline so I can cut them while they are still usable.
The way I look at it, if they do ban me from hauling my wood the 60 miles from the woodlot to my house, then I've got about 4 years to come up with an alternative. I don't cut any ash, however.
What I don't understand is why they are banning other hardwoods such as oak if they are trying to stop the Emerald Ash Borer.
Wood is difficult to identify without leaves. They had to ban all firewood to make the ban effective.
I wish they had done this years ago. I live in the quarantine area (Butler county) and lost a beautiful 25 year old ash tree in my front yard to the ash borer.
I wish they had done this years ago. I live in the quarantine area (Butler county) and lost a beautiful 25 year old ash tree in my front yard to the ash borer.
Don't know if this is the same article, but this one was in the Allentown paper:
"Pennsylvania on Tuesday imposed a ban on most firewood imported from outside the state in an effort to slow the spread of the Emerald Ash borer and other invasive forest pests that could threaten the hardwood and nursery industries. The ban applies to all types of wood intended for outdoor or indoor fires. Kiln-dried, packaged firewood that is clearly marked USDA Certified and bears the producers name and address is exempt from the ban. Last month, the state restricted the movement of all Ash tree material, from nursery stock to wood chips, and quarantined all hardwood firewood in 4 western PA. counties. The action was intended to combat the ash borer, a 1/2 inch long beetle that has destroyed more than 20 million Ash trees in the U.S. since 2002. Federal agriculture surveyors had found the pest in Butler County".
Just thought I'd share the article with everyone.
"Pennsylvania on Tuesday imposed a ban on most firewood imported from outside the state in an effort to slow the spread of the Emerald Ash borer and other invasive forest pests that could threaten the hardwood and nursery industries. The ban applies to all types of wood intended for outdoor or indoor fires. Kiln-dried, packaged firewood that is clearly marked USDA Certified and bears the producers name and address is exempt from the ban. Last month, the state restricted the movement of all Ash tree material, from nursery stock to wood chips, and quarantined all hardwood firewood in 4 western PA. counties. The action was intended to combat the ash borer, a 1/2 inch long beetle that has destroyed more than 20 million Ash trees in the U.S. since 2002. Federal agriculture surveyors had found the pest in Butler County".
Just thought I'd share the article with everyone.
This does present a problem for me as I live at the junction of PA, DE, and MD. I got the majority of my wood (beech!) for this year from Maryland. I'm talking about 8 miles from here! I sort of doubt the EAB would have any respect for the ban and not transporting itself the 8 miles. 
Certainly its not worth the fines but this cuts me off from about 1/2 of my sources of wood. I had an almost unlimited supply if I was willing to cut and haul........
At any rate, I've got 10 - 11 cords now and 8 or so is stacked and split.
JD
Certainly its not worth the fines but this cuts me off from about 1/2 of my sources of wood. I had an almost unlimited supply if I was willing to cut and haul........
At any rate, I've got 10 - 11 cords now and 8 or so is stacked and split.
JD
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