It is maple sugaring season in the Midwest and Northeast but the centuries-old tradition of tapping maple trees for sap to make syrup is being threatened by the spread of “Asian longhorned beetles”. These beetles kill maple trees and travel on infested firewood.
Asian longhorned beetles are not native to the U.S. and they have no natural predators. Our native maple trees are very vulnerable to attack because they have no resistance to the beetle’s tunneling and chewing.
Several maple syrup-producing states have been hit by infestations of these pests. The most recent case of infestation was found near Cincinnati, Ohio, and eradication efforts are underway. Tragically, many mature maple trees will have to be removed and destroyed.
The Worchester, Maine area is also facing a serious threat because the beetles were able to infest such a large area before being discovered. Beetle infestations were previously found in both New York and New Jersey, but those states appear to have the situation under control. Throughout the region, state officials are vigilant about looking for new signs of infestation.
“Because some people don’t realize that moving firewood can spread this tree-killing beetle, more infestations may be discovered in other cities and towns in maple producing areas,” said Leigh Greenwood, Don’t Move Firewood campaign manager. “Once an infestation occurs, the only way to stop the Asian longhorned beetle’s spread is to cut down all infested and host trees – impacting property owners and local communities and posing a huge threat to the maple syrup industry.”
These beetles cannot move very far on their own. However, when people start moving firewood from one location to another, it enables these pests to spread to new areas which may be far away from their original location. Detecting these beetles in firewood is not easy because they can be hidden in layers of wood beneath the bark.
“It might seem like a good idea to obtain some firewood from another area, or to take along firewood when going camping, but just one log can start a new infestation of the Asian longhorned beetle or other tree killing pests,” said Greenwood. “By buying locally harvested wood, people can help protect their trees by not risking the accidental movement of insects and diseases that can affect entire forests.”
“Ongoing efforts in awareness and education about invasive insects and the Don’t Move Firewood message are very important. We want to stress as an industry that the potential loss from Asian longhorned beetles will far exceed the upfront costs of prevention,” said Dave Chapeskie, executive director of the International Maple Syrup Institute. “Other invasive insects like the emerald ash borer threaten the integrity of the sugar bush, even if they don’t directly threaten the sugar maples.”
Tips from the Don’t Move Firewood campaign
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Obtain firewood near the location where you will burn it – that means the wood was cut in a nearby forest, in the same country, or a maximum of 50 miles from where you’ll have your fire.
- Don’t be tempted to bring firewood just because the wood looks clean and healthy. It could still harbor tiny insect eggs or microscopic fungal spores that could start a new and deadly infestation of forest pests.
- Aged or seasoned wood is not considered safe to move, but commercially kiln-dried wood is a good option if you must transport firewood.
- If you have already moved firewood, and you need to dispose of it safely, burn it soon and completely. Make sure to rake the storage area carefully and also burn the debris. In the future, buy from a local source.
- Take care to respect all state and local regulations on firewood movement – some areas are subject to serious fines for violations. For more information, visit your agricultural department’s website.
- Tell your friends and others about the risks of moving firewood – no one wants to be responsible for starting a new pest infestation.
For more information, log onto www.dontmovefirewood.org .
