Frequently asked questions about firewood use in Vermont.

How do you define “firewood”?

Firewood includes all wood, processed or unprocessed, coniferous or hardwood, meant for use as fuel for a campfire or other outdoor or indoor fire.  

Is it illegal to bring firewood into Vermont from out of state?

There are currently no restrictions on importing or exporting firewood across state or county lines. There are however, restrictions on bringing firewood into Vermont State Parks and Green Mountain National Forest campgrounds. Firewood brought into these public campgrounds must be from local sources or kiln dried and in its original, labeled package. Details are at http://www.vtfpr.org/Firewood/firewoodrestrictions.cfm.

Travelers should be aware that there are federal or state firewood quarantines in many north central and northeastern states and Canadian Provinces that prohibit firewood movement.  These include all counties infested by Emerald Ash Borer and Asian Longhorned Beetle.

Is it safe to purchase and transport packaged firewood that is commonly found at retail stores?

Yes. Look for firewood that is clearly marked with the producer’s name and address and labeled as “USDA Certified”. Wood that is labeled "kiln dried" is generally free of pests, although if the wood is not heated to a certain temperature insects can survive.

Can I safely move firewood that is air dried?

Unfortunately, seasoning firewood - storing it cut and piled and letting it air-dry for a period of time - is not a proven way to eliminate potential invasive insects or diseases.

Seasoning, or air-drying typically only reduces the moisture content of the firewood to around 19% (from 50% or more when fresh-cut or green). Reducing moisture content alone is not an adequate treatment method to control invasive insects and/or diseases.

Scientific studies have shown that some invasive, exotic insects can survive in untreated, cut trees and firewood for over two years and still emerge to infest surrounding forests.

It's also impossible to determine how long firewood has been "seasoned" as there's no real way to measure or verify.

Can I safely move lumber or other scrap wood to use as firewood?

You can safely move lumber that is fully dried and has no bark attached. Minimally processed wood products such as pallets or slabs that are not fully dried or still have some bark attached should not be moved. It is okay to transport lumber scraps such as 2X4’s, etc. that are left over from your building projects. For health reasons be sure you don’t burn wood that is treated with paint or other chemicals.

Are there any tree species unaffected by these exotic pests, and therefore safe to use and transport as firewood?

We don’t know the answer to this question yet, but our advice is to not move firewood of any hardwood or softwood species. We know many species of trees are affected by the exotic pests we have currently identified, and because new pests will probably arrive in the future, (or may be here already), the best practice is to treat all tree species as possible hosts.

If there are insects and diseases on my firewood, won’t I see them?

With most pests, no. Some of the most destructive insects and diseases such the Emerald Ash Borer, Asian Longhorned Beetle, and sudden oak death fungus are under the bark or deep in the wood and there may not be evidence of their presence on the outside. The danger in moving firewood, especially during the spring and summer season when insects are active, is that some of the insects could emerge from the wood at any time. If there are suitable hosts nearby a new infestation can occur, perhaps many miles from the original source.

Can I purchase firewood at most State, Federal and private campgrounds in Vermont?

Most campgrounds will have firewood available. Campgrounds that do not currently have a supply of firewood should be able to direct you to a local source. State and federal park managers, along with private campground owners are enthusiastically working together to keep destructive forest pests out of Vermont, so in the near future more campgrounds will have firewood available.

Where can I get more information?

Vermont has a dedicated firewood web site at www.firewood.vt.gov.

Links to many other websites that have information on exotic pests in firewood are available on this site. If you have questions specific to Vermont that are not answered here you can call our firewood information line at 802-476-0170 and speak with a real person.

What if I find an insect or disease that fits the description of one of the known forest pests that we are trying to prevent the spread of?

 Please call the firewood information line at 802-476-0170 or your local regional office of the Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation to report your sighting.

Back to firewood.vt.gov