Tennessee State Parks issue firewood notice

Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Tree-damaging stowaways

Insects that stowaway undetected on firewood include the emerald ash borer, hemlock woolly adelgid, gypsy moths, the Asian longhorned beetle and others. These insects feed on ash, black walnut, hemlock, oak and maple trees, which disrupts the trees’ ability to process water and nutrients. All have already killed tens of millions of trees in North America. Infested trees soon die, which hurts habitat for wildlife, creates a greater risk for wildfires, reduces timber values and hurts some of the state’s most beautiful places. Insects can hide or lay eggs in firewood and spread widely if introduced into a park. Heat-treated firewood, safe for camping and cooking, eliminates this danger by killing pests during the drying process.Source: Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation

With summer's first weekend underway, Tennessee State Parks officials are warning campers and folks with plans for campfires to use only heat-treated firewood or wood collected nearby.

The South is filled with lots of insects that damage trees and carry diseases, and officials need the public's help to keep them from spreading. More than half the state is covered by forest.

Tennessee State Parks joined forces with the Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry and The Nature Conservancy to get the word out on a new firewood policy, officials said.

"Beginning June 1, Tennessee State Parks will advise visitors to use certified heat-treated wood," parks spokeswoman Kim Schoetzow said. "The new policy aims to prevent or slow the introduction of exotic insects or diseases into parks that could otherwise threaten the health of our trees and forests."

Packaged, heat-treated firewood is usually available at camp stores and convenience stores, especially near campgrounds. Campfires also can be fueled with dead, downed wood from the area near the fire site, Schoetzow said. Manufactured logs are acceptable, too.

Even the names of some of the bugs and diseases sound ominous, like thousand cankers disease and the emerald ash borer. Exotic bugs and diseases often get a way to travel when camping season arrives.

"Transportation of firewood is a primary pathway for the introduction of harmful pests and pathogens to Tennessee's forests and woodlands," said Jere Jeter, Tennessee state forester and assistant commissioner of the state Department of Agriculture.

Jeter said the biggest problem is the emerald ash borer, an insect that has put 44 of Tennessee's 95 counties under quarantine, which restricts movement of forest products.

Jeter said campers should look for a seal on purchased firewood that states the wood is certified heat-treated.

"We appreciate TDEC's parks division stepping up and making this requirement in the state parks system," Jeter said.

TDEC Deputy Commissioner Brock Hill also is happy the groups have joined forces.

"Since camping season is upon us, visitors should be aware of this new policy and check with the park before arriving," Brock said.

Tennessee State Parks' new policy is similar to the policy put in place last year by the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Tennessee state parks that feature overnight accommodations will have information available on safe firewood use.

If firewood is not available at the park, visitors should buy certified heat-treated firewood before they arrive, officials said.

"Our exceptional forests are a big part of what makes Tennessee's state parks beautiful," said Trish Johnson, director of forest conservation for The Nature Conservancy in Tennessee. "This new firewood policy for state parks will decrease the risk of tree pests spreading into our parks and keep our forests healthy for future generations to enjoy."

Contact staff writer Ben Benton at bbenton@timesfreepress.com, on Twitter @BenBenton, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ben.benton1 or 423-757-6569.

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