Friends of Wyalusing state Park, Wisconsin
Firewood in the Park

  Out of state campers visiting Wisconsin state parks and other state-managed properties this year will have to leave their firewood at home under a new emergency rule that addresses the growing threat of the tree-killing emerald ash borer and other harmful forest pests and diseases.  The emerald ash borer (EAB) is a tiny green insect native to Asia.  It was introduced to the United States in the early 1990s in the Detroit, Michigan area and has since spread to Ohio, Indiana and Ontario, Canada killing more than 15 million ash trees in urban and forest settings.

The state Natural Resources Board approved the emergency rule at its meeting in Madison on March 22, 2006.  During 2006, the rule prohibits people visiting Wisconsin State Parks, Forests, and other DNR managed properties where campfires are permitted from bringing out-of-state firewood onto those properties.  The rule will mostly affect out-of-state campers, but could also affect Wisconsin campers who purchase or chop their own wood in other states.  Most campers will not be affected by the proposed rule. 

The Emerald Ash Borer (EAB), Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire (Coleoptera: Buprestidae), is identified as a causative agent in ash tree mortality and decline. No bigger than a penny, this green menace has wreacked havoc on millions of ash trees in the Midwest and if not controlled could potentially wipe out the ash tree species in North America.

The adult beetles nibble on ash foliage but cause little damage. The larvae (the immature stage) feed on the inner bark of ash trees, disrupting the tree's ability to transport water and nutrients. The Emerald ash borer probably arrived in the United States on solid wood packing material carried in cargo ships or airplanes originating in its native Asia.

Wisconsin stands to lose a lot if EAB arrives in the state and goes unchecked.  Native ash trees number around 717 million in state forests and it's second most common tree species in communities round the state, accounting for as much as a third of all urban trees.

Ash is often sold as firewood because it doesn't require curing time before it's ready to use.  It will burn easily and produce a good heat whether it's fresh or aged.

Firewood is available at a reasonable cost at almost every state park, though the hours and locations inside the park may vary.  State forests and "flowage" areas where rustic camping can be found typically have firewood available locally - either for sale in nearby communities, or on the property as dead, dry wood. 

All out-of-state campers who currently have a state park reservation for this year will be contacted to let them know of the plan to restrict firewood movement onto state properties.  The automated reservation system will soon alert campers to this new policy, also.

Park employees will be spreading the word about infested firewood, handing out materials to campers as they check in. 

EAB attacks both weakened and healthy ash trees, laying its eggs in the bark of the tree.  When the eggs hatch, the tiny larvae burrow into the layers of the tree just under the bark.  It's these layers that move nutrients and water up and down the tree and the larvae wind through them, cutting off the flow of food and water as it eats its way around the tree.  An infested tree will die within 2-3 years.

For more information, please visit the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources at www.dnr.gov.wi/invasives.