Forest Health Protection, Southern Region

USDA Forest Service Forest Health Protection Region 8 1720 Peachtree Road, NW Room 816 N Atlanta, GA 30309 Phone: (404) 347-7478 Fax: (404) 347-1880

Don't Move Firewood

Protect our National Forests from Invasive Insects and Diseases

Asian Longhorned Beetle, Emerald Ash Borer, and Sirex Woodwasp

When camping on the National Forest, please get your firewood from available sources provided on the forest or a vendor close to your destination. Don't pack your own! Invasive insects and diseases in firewood threaten our native trees and forests. If you move firewood, you could be giving these pests a free ride to new territory.

Our forests are severely threatened by non-native insects and diseases that can eliminate entire species of forest trees. Recently introduced insects and diseases such as emerald ash borer, Asian longhorned beetle, Sirex woodwasp, and laurel wilt are wood-infesting species that can and are being transported long distances in firewood. Other non-native pests such as Burning firewood

hemlock woolly adelgid, gypsy moth, thousand-cankers disease, Dutch elm disease, oak wilt, beech bark disease, and sudden oak death may also be moved to new areas in firewood. Once transported into new areas, these pests can become established and kill local trees. We must all do our part to stop the spread of these invasive pests and protect our forests and trees.

How You Can Help...

Leave firewood at home - do not transport it to campgrounds or parks.

Use firewood from local sources.

If you have moved firewood, burn all of it before leaving your campsite.

Follow these links for more information:

Sirex Woodwasp

[ Click images for larger version ]

This pest was first introduced to the US in Fulton, NY 2004.
Since initial introduction into the US, this wasp has been located in PA, MI, and VT
Sirex Woodwasp is native to Europe, Asia, and northern Africa, where it is generally considered to be a secondary pest. It was become a significant forest pest in other regions of the world

Photo: USDA APHIS PPQ

White, red, Scotch, loblolly, slash, shortleaf, Monterey, ponderosa, and lodgepole pines are susceptible.
Evidence of sirex woodwasp attack can be seen by resin flow or resin beads

Photo: Dennis Haugen, USDA Forest Service

Sirex woodwasp carries a mutualistic fungi that interrupts sap flow in the tree
Needles on infested trees wilt and turn from green to brown.

Photo: Dennis Haugen, USDA Forest Service

For more information:

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/plant_health/plant_pest_info/sirex/index.shtml