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?

 Vermont does not currently have a quarantine that prohibits the importation or exportation of firewood.  It is however, illegal to move firewood (of any hardwood species) out of the following states or counties due to a federal Emerald Ash Borer quarantine:

• All of Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio  

• Prince George’s County, Maryland, and Lawrence, Beaver, Butler, and Allegany  Counties in Pennsylvania

• Although there are no current restrictions on moving firewood from most states into Vermont, to help prevent the introduction of a number of very destructive forest pests we are encouraging the public not to move firewood more than 50 miles from it’s original source.

• Also, Canada and New York have import/export restrictions on all firewood. It is illegal to move firewood into or out of New York state and Canada.

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 “kiln dried” and/or “USDA Certified”. Wood that is 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?

Firewood that is covered and air dried for 18 months will have a low likelihood of harboring living insects or diseases. It is certainly safer to move wood that has dried for this amount of time, but there are no quarantees. Wood that is dried less than 18 months will commonly harbor living insects and fungi and should not be moved.

Can I safely move slab wood or pallets 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 and 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