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Ecological Warning: Keep Firewood Local

Local FirewoodSince cutting firewood is not allowed at many campsites, have you ever thought about bringing firewood with you from home?  Or have you considered bringing in special logs for your fireplace from another state because it is quality hardwood with a pleasant aroma?  Well, these ideas make sense until you understand that such actions could be environmentally catastrophic.  For several good reasons, everyone should burn only local firewood in their fireplaces.

Non-native Bugs and Diseases are an Ecological Threat

Trees are filled with bugs and parasites which are native to the area where they are planted.  Even when the trees have been cut down and seasoned as firewood, they still contain many living entities.  When firewood is taken to another region, those parasites and bugs could be introduced to an ecological system which is defenseless against them.  Over time, the results could be disastrous.  Trees could die off in massive numbers, and discovering the source of the problem could take years.

Research has shown that such diseases and pests as the Emerald Ash Borer, Sudden Oak Death, and the Goldspotted Oak Borer endangered entire ecological systems when they were introduced to previously unexposed areas.

Logs may appear to be free of pests and parasites, but it may not be the case.  Assume that all wood is a potential risk, if moved outside of the region it originated in.

Economic Impact

Not only can an ecosystem be destroyed by non-native parasites and diseases, but there could be serious economic impact.  New infestations cause property and home values to plummet, they cost a lot of money to control, and they destroy forests.

Far Worse than Native Pests and Diseases

Why are new insects and diseases so much more harmful than those that are native to an area?  It’s because for possibly millions of years native trees have built up defenses against the insects and diseases of their environment.  When new predators come along, there is no protection against them.  The foreign parasites are unhindered as they grow and reproduce at an uncontrollable rate, killing trees all along the way.

Defining “Local Firewood”

“Local firewood” is wood that is close by and convenient.  A general guideline is that local Local Firewoodfirewood is, at best, 10 or less miles away; 50 miles is too far a distance to move firewood.

It’s illegal in some states to cross the state line with firewood from another region, and related fines are usually high.  There are also some states with quarantines, rules, and regulations that define how far firewood can be moved.

Advantages of Burning Local Firewood

Local firewood is less expensive to purchase than imported wood, and buying it helps support local commerce.  The most economical way to heat your home is by cutting down trees on your own property and replanting.

Burning Local Firewood Protects the Environment

Burning local firewood is an eco-friendly way to heat your home.  Many people today have a growing interest in helping to protect the earth’s resources.  A great way to help prevent parasites and insects from destroying forests is by sticking to burning local firewood.

Contact us today about any questions or concerns you have about the best firewood to use or for your annual chimney inspection and cleaning.

Northeastern Chimney, Inc
37 Cody Street, West Hartford, CT 06110
Phone: 860-233-5770

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