Presentation 5.2:Firewood Movement

Outline• Invasive Species and Firewood

Movement• Preventing Firewood Movement

Section 1: Invasive Species and Firewood

Movement

Outline• Introduction• Types of firewood• Invasive pests• Firewood movement• Ecological, economical, and social

effects• Invasive pests in interface areas• Summary

IntroductionInvasive species are one of the greatest concerns for management!

Firewood movement has the potential to be a high-risk pathway for invasive species to enter a new ecosystem.

Types of Firewood• Green firewood– Freshly cut wood

• Great survival rate of invasive species• Seasoned firewood– Air dried wood

• Contain secondary pests • Treated firewood– Heat treated, kiln sterilized, or

debarked wood• Decreases risk of transporting pest

Invasive Pests• Invasive species that damage natural

resources and agricultural crops. – Insects• Invasive insects travel on or in firewood

1. Wood borers 2. Tree Defoliators

– Pathogens • Organisms that can cause disease or damage

in a plant1. Redbay ambrosia beetle2. Thousand cankers disease

Firewood movement

• Short distance– Recreational

transport• Expands pests range

into new areas

• Long Distance– Commercial or retail

distributors• Long distance spread

of pests

Ecological, Economical, and Social Effects

• Ecological consequences– Affects the structure of forest

ecosystems• Economic costs– Significant cost is associated with

control and eradication of pests• Social effects– Ecosystem services that affect humans

well-being can be affected

Invasive Pests in Interface America

• Urban areas are at greatest risks – Threatens quality

of life– Threatens

property values

Summary• Firewood movement is a major

pathway for the introduction of invasive pests!

• These invasive pests can have ecological, economical, and social consequences.

• Recognizing invasive pathways can help with the management of invasive species.

Section 2:Preventing Firewood Movement

Outline • Introduction• Basics of invasive pests infestations• Communicating with and engaging

different audiences• Regulation of firewood movement• Summary

Introduction• Natural resource professionals can

play an important role in protecting forests from the introduction of invasive pests through– Communication and outreach– Regulation– Voluntary compliance

Basics of invasive pests infestations

• Increase knowledge to minimize the effect of invasive pests– Tree species affected– Effects of invasive pests on tree species– Signs and symptoms of infestation or infection– Existing and potential range of the pest– Invasive pest management options and

approaches– Who to contact if something suspicious is

found

Communicating with and engaging different audiences

• Consistent and simple message• Tailored for different audiences– Interface homeowners and outdoor enthusiasts– Park and campground staff– Arborists and green industry professionals– Wood processors and producers

Interface homeowners and outdoor enthusiasts

• Use consistent messaging, social marketing, and media kits

• Attend community meetings and events• Give presentations to youth groups• Provide suggested firewood sources• Provide brochures, posters, and flyers • Submit articles to local newsletter and

use existing networks to send out information

Park and campground staff

• Display firewood information to visitors• Ban all firewood that is not treated or produced

locally• Develop firewood policies• Share examples of “wood swaps or exchanges” with

staff• Sell locally produced or treated firewood on-site and

suggest incorporating cost into access fee• Develop a recommended list of nearby producers and

retailers

Arborists and green industry professionals

• Stay up to date on invasive pests

• Host annual “Invasive Pest Field Day”

• Avoid transporting firewood more than 50 miles

Wood processors and producers

• Become familiar with the guidelines and regulations

• Inform about firewood movement compliance agreements

• Adopt best management practices

• Adopt a voluntary certification program

Regulation of firewood movement

• Federal and state department regulations– Quarantines• Stipulations

– Compliance agreements– Broader firewood regulations

SummaryNatural resource professional can play

a significant role in preventing firewood movement and thus the introduction of invasive pest by

educating the public and environmental professionals.

Credit• Ladyheart, everystockphoto.com• Robert Trickel• USDA Agricultural Research Service• Larry Korhnak• Steve Beattie• Carl Firley