Don’t Move Firewood

This article was originally published in The Midden – Great Basin National Park: Vol. 19, No. 1, Summer 2019.

Singleleaf pinyon pine is susceptible to many diseases and pests.

NPS Photo by Julie Long

by Julie Long, Wildlife/Plants Biological Science Technician

Why is moving firewood something we should think about? The answer is pretty straightforward: Movement of logs and firewood can transport tree-killing insects and diseases. Insects and disease agents are small, unable to move long distances on their own, and oftentimes go unnoticed because of where they live - underneath bark and within trunks or branches. Transporting firewood to a new area can aid in the spread of these harmful insects and pathogens. Those that are non-native are especially vicious, as native species often do not have natural defenses against them.

To monitor forest health conditions at Great Basin National Park, the park partners with the State of Nevada and U.S. Forest Service (USFS). Over the past ten years, the USFS has conducted aerial detection surveys to monitor insect and disease impacts on the park’s forests. Park staff and USFS have also treated high value limber pine (Pinus flexilis) and ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) with SPLAT® verbenone, an anti-aggregation pheromone. This naturally occurring pheromone tricks mountain pine beetles (Dendroctonus ponderosae) into thinking that a tree has already been colonized and therefore protects the tree from mountain pine beetle infestation.

In 2017, USFS forest health specialists observed the following insects and diseases on Engelmann spruce trees near Wheeler Peak Campground: spruce broom rust (Chrysomyxa arctostaphyli), Cooley spruce gall agelgid (Adelges cooleyi), spruce engraver (Ips spp.) and spruce beetle (Dendroctonus rufipennis). If additional pests or diseases are brought in, they can weaken the trees even more and cause more tree mortality.

Five Ways You Can Help:
• Buy or gather firewood where you will burn it.
• Leave your firewood at home. Fungi spores are microscopic!
• Spread the word to raise awareness in your community.
• Check your state’s firewood transportation guidelines.
• Purchase certified, heat-treated firewood.

To find additional information on pests in firewood use this link.