FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October
18, 2024
Don’t move
firewood, prevent the spread of invasive pests and diseases
COLLEGE STATION, Texas – As fall-like
weather occurs across the state, Texas A&M Forest Service urges
all Texans to help reduce the spread of oak wilt and invasive insects by taking
preventive measures and being cautious when collecting, transporting and
purchasing firewood.
As Texans travel for hunting or camping trips, they may
unknowingly be bringing deadly, invasive pests and pathogens along for the ride
if they bring firewood with them.
“Many devastating, tree-killing pests present in Texas forests
live and breed inside firewood,” said Demian Gomez, Texas A&M Forest
Service Regional Forest Health Coordinator. “The spread of wood borers, such as
the invasive emerald ash borer,
have been on the rise this year. These invasive insects have caused devastating
impacts, practically wiping out entire tree species from some regions of the
country.”
The emerald ash borer, detected in 27 Texas counties, has killed
millions of ash trees across the eastern U.S. The redbay ambrosia beetle
continues to spread west from the southeast, killing redbay and sassafras trees
along the way. Similarly, pathogens such as the one causing oak wilt,
have killed oak trees in Central Texas in epidemic proportions.
Since insects like the emerald ash borer do
not travel extreme distances naturally, it is presumed that firewood
transportation was the origin of the emerald ash borer introduction in Texas
which also intensified its rapid spread in the last few years. The emerald ash
borer was first detected in Texas in 2016 in Harrison County. In 2024, emerald
ash borer expanded to 12 new Texas counties.
Forest pests and diseases cause severe ecological and economic
impacts over time. While they can spread on their own, accidental transport by
humans is one of the main ways they move greater distances, sometimes quickly
jumping state and county lines. Firewood is the common way many of these pests
are moved. Even wood that looks clean and healthy may still have insect eggs or
fungal spores that can start new infestations.
“We can limit the spread of invasive tree pests,” said
Gomez. “The best rule of thumb is to burn the firewood near where it’s bought
or picked up. Moving firewood can easily introduce insects and diseases to new
areas, particularly during hunting and camping seasons.”
For diseases like oak wilt, this is critical. Transporting and
storing infected wood from red oaks can spread oak wilt fungal spores to
previously uninfected neighborhoods and properties. Because live oaks tend to
grow in large, dense groups, oak wilt spreads quickly, and one infected tree
can lead to large patches of dead and dying trees.
While firewood is an important commodity in the fall and winter,
Texans can help prevent the spread of these pests and diseases by purchasing,
collecting and burning firewood locally.
For more information about firewood, visit www.dontmovefirewood.org/texas.
For more information about Texas forest health, diseases and
invasive species, visit: https://tfsweb.tamu.edu/Content/Landing.aspx?id=19780.
###
Texas
A&M Forest Service Contacts:
Demian
Gomez, Regional Forest Health Coordinator, 512-339-4589, demian.gomez@tfs.tamu.edu
Communications Office, 979-458-6606, newsmedia@tfs.tamu.edu