Firewood Movement and the Emerald Ash Borer

For decades, chestnut blight, Dutch elm disease, and the gypsy moth have wreaked havoc on the forests of North America. Today, another round of invasive pests including the Sirex wood wasp, Asian longhorn beetle and the emerald ash borer (EAB) are demonstrating their negative impacts. In particular, the EAB (Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire) is having far reaching consequences for rural and urban forest managers, owners and users. Because the spread of EAB in the U.S. has been linked to the movement of firewood from infested to noninfested areas, the consequences to firewood producers, marketers, and users is significant. This report addresses the current status of EAB and firewood movement in the United States including quarantines, regulations, and options for the firewood industry.