Help Reduce EAB Spread by Using Firewood From Local Sources

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 8, 2009

At this time of year, many people stock up on firewood for use during the fall and winter in Illinois. Firewood can be purchased from individuals, dealers or retail stores or cut by the user.

With the presence of Emerald Ash Borer now in Illinois, persons are encouraged to use local sources of firewood, especially ash wood, and to know the source of the wood. The Emerald Ash Borer has been found in over 50 locations in the northern one-half of Illinois since June, 2006, from the Illinois-Wisconsin state line to as far south as the Bloomington area. It was first identified at one location in Kane County.

Areas identified with the Emerald Ash Borer are officially quarantined to restrict the movement of wood, wood products and the borer. Much of northeastern and north central Illinois is in the quarantine area. Wood cannot be moved out of those areas. A new law, effective in January, 2009, requires firewood dealers to be registered with the Illinois Department of Agriculture. A map of the quarantine area, information on the new law and other information can be found on the web at http://www.illinoiseab.com. The Illinois and U.S. Departments of Agriculture are working with communities and industry to try to control the spread of the insects in numerous ways.

Since the borers do not typically travel far on their own, reducing human transport of the pest is one way to help slow the spread of the problem. The Emerald Ash Borer only affects ash trees. "One of the things that individuals can do to help reduce the spread of the pest is to use local firewood," says John Church, University of Illinois Extension Educator, Natural Resources, Rockford. If buying ash firewood for the winter, be sure of its source. Don't bring in any type of firewood from infested areas or from a long distance. If camping in infested areas, leave unused firewood at that site.

For more information on the borer, persons can also contact the local University of Illinois Extension office or go to the U. of I. Rockford Extension Center website at http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/rockfordcenter/nre2131.html . In Ogle County you may call (815) 732-2191 or visit www.extension.uiuc.edu/ogle .

For additional information on varieties of firewood, characteristics and purchase, go to the U. of I. Extension website web.extension.uiuc.edu/forestry/timber_harvest/firewood.html.

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Source: John Church, Extension Educator, Natural Resources Management, churchj@illinois.edu