Protecting Indiana’s State Parks and Reservoirs from Invasive Pests Carried in Firewood Jodie Ellis Invasive Forest Pests Education Program Purdue Entomology E-mail: ellisj@purdue.edu Phone: 765-494-0822 Updated April 2011 Slide 1
Why Manage Firewood in Indiana State Parks and Properties? • There are 140 known pests that are moved in firewood. Many of these pests are non-native. • The consequences of these pests’ introduction into our forests are often devastating and irreversible. • By far, the best strategy against invasive forest pests is to prevent their introduction; it is difficult or often impossible to manage them once they establish. • All Indiana citizens and visitors to the state have a responsibility to protect DNR properties from destructive pests. Slide 2
Problems with Firewood • Firewood is difficult to regulate by law. • Firewood is often moved over long distances. • Campers leave leftover firewood, which could allow insects and pathogens to emerge. • Occasionally this firewood is picked up and moved to new places. Slide 3
An Incomplete List of Non-Native Pests and Pathogens Transported in Firewood • Emerald Ash Borer • Goldspotted Oak Borer • Asian Longhorned Beetle • Sirex Wood Wasp • European and Asian Gypsy Moth • Winter Moth • Bark Beetles (several kinds) • Hemlock Wooly Adelgid • Sudden Oak Death • Thousand Cankers Disease of Black Walnut Trees • Beech Bark Disease • And many more…. Slide 4
As an example, Emerald Ash Borer has been moved to many new places with the unwitting help of people, often when they take infested ash firewood and ash logs to campsites. The insect is now widely distributed in Indiana. Slide 5
Known introductions of Emerald Ash Borer in Indiana that directly resulted from movement of infested ash firewood. Slide 6
The New Indiana DNR Firewood Policy for State Parks and Properties • Places where firewood is frequently brought in from outside sources, such as campgrounds and recreational areas, are often the first places where invasive forest pests escape into new areas. • The purpose of this new policy is to protect Indiana DNR properties from invasive pests and pathogens. Slide 7
Can Campers Still Enjoy Campfires Without Putting Indiana Forests at Risk? People may still bring firewood onto DNR properties if (and only if!) they follow very specific guidelines to make sure the wood is safe. Slide 8
Firewood is considered safe to bring onto DNR properties if it meets at least one of the following criteria: 1. Is kiln-dried , scrap lumber. 2. Originated at any location within Indiana and all of its bark has been removed , including one-half inch into the sapwood (the layer of the tree beneath the bark). 3. Is in a packaged bundle (often purchased from department stores, big box stores, grocery stores, gas stations, etc.) and bears a valid USDA compliance stamp . 4. Is purchased from a firewood vendor located near the property who supplies a valid state compliance stamp . 5. Is purchased from the property’s camp store or from an on-site firewood vendor; this firewood must also bear a state compliance stamp. Slide 9
1. Kiln-dried scrap lumber Most insects and diseases cannot survive prolonged hot temperatures nor extremely dry conditions. The process of kiln-drying wood creates both of these conditions, making the wood safe to transport. How lumber is kiln-dried Slide 10
2. Firewood from anywhere within Indiana with all bark removed , including one-half inch into the sapwood (the layer of the tree beneath the bark). • Completely removing the part of firewood where insects and pathogens feed, rest, or reproduces virtually eliminates risks. • This process will require extra time and effort on the part of the camper. • Park personnel should carefully inspect the firewood to make sure all bark has been taken off. Slide 11
3. Firewood purchased in a packaged bundle (often from a department store, grocery store, gas station, etc.), bearing a valid USDA compliance stamp . Firewood that bears these stamps has been treated in a way approved to eliminate insects and diseases by the USDA, such as heat treating or fumigation. Examples of USDA Compliance stamps Slide 12
4. The firewood is purchased from a firewood vendor located near the property and bears a state compliance stamp . Many firewood vendors near campgrounds and picnic areas have compliance agreements with the Indiana DNR, that certify their firewood that is “forest-safe “. These vendors should provide the buyer a State Compliance stamp with the firewood. Example of an Indiana State Compliance stamp Slide 13
5. The firewood is purchased from the property’s camp store or from an on-site firewood vendor; this firewood must also contain a state compliance stamp . • Many camp stores on state properties either sell firewood directly to their visitors or have a vendor on site. • Firewood sold in campgrounds must also carry state issued compliance stamps. Example of an Indiana State Compliance stamp Slide 14
The mission of Parks and State Properties regarding firewood is simple: Protect Indiana’s state-owned forests and natural areas by educating visitors and encouraging responsible behavior. Slide 15
Help campers remember the “Three Bs” of firewood: 1. B ring it debarked. 2. B uy it stamped. 3. B urn it all! Slide 16
Each DNR property is handling firewood checks in locations (gates, campgrounds, etc) that work best for that site. • In some locations, entrance or campground gate attendants may be asking campers whether they brought firewood. • In other locations, security officers and interpreters may rove the campground and ask campers about their wood. • In any event, you should be aware of how this is being handled on YOUR property. Check with your manager to find out what you need to do . Slide 17
Instructions for Gate Attendants Scenario 1: Visitors do NOT bring firewood with them but want to purchase some. • Inform visitors of where they can purchase compliant firewood on or near the property. Keep a list with current information handy. • Remind visitors to burn all firewood they purchase before leaving the property. Brad Bumgardner discusses EAB with a park visitor at Pokagon. Slide 18
Scenario 2: Visitors bring non-compliant firewood to the property. • Briefly explain the Indiana DNR Policy • Recommend that they burn all firewood completely before leaving their campsite. • Offer printed information on the firewood policy. Always be polite and respectful. Slide 19
Surrendered (voluntarily) firewood needs to be burned as quickly as possible, preferably within 24 hours. Slide 20
Please contact Purdue’s Invasive Forest Pest Outreach and Education Program at (765) 494-0822 If you have questions about invasive forest pests or firewood. Slide 21
Questions You Will Be Asked (and Answers!) “HOW IS THIS POLICY DIFFERENT THAN THE ONE USED FOR THE LAST FEW YEARS TO SLOW THE SPREAD OF EMERALD ASH BORER?” • This new policy is being implemented because there are many potential pests and pathogens that can be moved in firewood – this is not just about the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB), although EAB is a great example of how pests and pathogens can be moved in firewood. • EAB is a problem, and there is the potential for the same thing to happen with other pests and pathogens. • It is better to be proactive than reactive. Slide 22
“WHY IMPLEMENT THIS POLICY NOW?” The Department of Natural Resources is charged with managing and conserving the natural and cultural resources of Indiana. There are 140 or more pests and pathogens currently identified that can potentially be moved in firewood. Some of these pests can, if introduced to a DNR property, devastate forested areas where popular hiking trails are located and greatly reduce shade in property campgrounds. Slide 23
“WHAT OTHER PESTS ARE TRANSPORTED IN FIREWOOD?” There are many, but the following are of most concern to the DNR: Asian Longhorned Beetles kill maples and other tree species; Thousand Cankers Disease of Black Walnut was recently found in Tennessee; Sirex wood wasps attack pines and is now present in New York; Gypsy Moths can be moved in egg masses laid on firewood and is a quarantined pest in Indiana; several types of oak borers girdle and kill oak trees; Beech Bark Disease is caused by an insect and fungus working together to kill American Beech trees – it is already killing the beech trees in Michigan’s forests and campgrounds. Unfortunately, there are many more. Asian Longhorned Thousand Cankers Beetle Gypsy moth Sirex Wood Beech Bark Disease Wasp Disease Slide 24
“CAN I BRING DEBARKED WOOD TO INDIANA FROM ANOTHER STATE?” No. Federal law prohibits the movement of firewood across state lines into or out of Indiana without a federal compliance stamp. The stamp is only available to businesses, not to private individuals. Slide 25
“DOES THE NEW POLICY APPLY TO PINE AND SPRUCE FIREWOOD, OR DOES IT APPLY ONLY TO HARDWOOD FIREWOOD?” Under the new policy, pine and spruce firewood is also regulated. All bark must be removed from these species, too. Slide 26
Recommend
More recommend
