Ethics of transporting Oak and Birch Firewood

[Max sawdust]

Guys' I am in Northern Wisconsin and considering selling "high end" firewood to urban areas several hundred miles away.

Emerald Ash borer is not here yet so it is still legal to transport, my question is:  Is it ethical?  Am I potentially spreading something?
Max

[Gary_C]

I see the MN DNR is now recommending that campers buy small quantities of firewood near their campsite and burning it all rather than hauling from or to another area. I think their main fear is moving oak wilt spores from another area.

I know that Twin Cities firewood dealers regularly buy trees (small sales) in the north woods and haul the logs to the metro areas to be processed. There is certainly more potential to carry bugs in wet wood than dry wood. So if you are hauling dry wood it would be better than hauling green logs.

Other than those observations, I don't know what is the answer to your question.

[Phorester]

Check with whatever agency regulates the movement of agricultural and forest products in your State.  In my state it is the State Dept. of Agriculture. I don't think you'd have a problem with emerald ash borer in those species, but there might be other diseases or insects you wouldn't want to move outside of your area.  It's not only an ethical concern but it could also be a legal problem for you, complete with fines.  Check first before transporting so far from your location.

[metalspinner]

On the news last night here in Tn... 

http://www.wbir.com/news/archive.aspx?storyid=36342

[LOGDOG]

Let not your heart be troubled Max ... your worries are over.  There's no need to sell high-end firewood hundreds of miles away when there's an outlet right in your backyard. I stayed at Indian Shores campground there in Woodruff 2 summers ago for nearly a month. They were selling firewood in pales smaller than a 5 gallon pale for $5! I'm talking like 3 pieces!!! I tolerated that for one night. Next morning I threw my Dolmar PS7300 in the back of the dually and went scouting for a logging job. Let's just say that in less than 45 minutes I came back with a heaping pickup load of hard maple that was in the tailing pile of a slasher. Seasoned a bit too to boot.  I knew I had brought that splitting mall for a reason. ;D

Seriously though ...great markets locally all over Wisconsin.

LOGDOG

[Corley5]

Know where your wood is coming from.  I sell ash firewood on a regular basis but I know exactly where the logs come from and watch for any signs of borers as I'm processing the wood.  I'd never sell wood from a quarantine area and I'm not in one either.

[estiers]

https://apps4.dhfs.state.wi.us/admrules/public/Rmo?nRmoId=483#

Above is a link for the recent change in WI law regarding firewood and transport.  If you go down to the "Rules Sent to Legislature" section and click on "Final Proposed Rulemaking Order" you will be able to open it.  The part that you would be interested in reading begins on page 6 "Business Impact".  It looks like currently the law will only regulate firewood coming out of infested areas, not only EAB, but also Asian Longhorned Beelte, Hemlock Woolly Adelgid, and Sudden Oak Death areas.  Since you currently reside outside of those, you are legally safe (assuming your status with the gypsy moth quarantine is up to snuff for where you are delivering.  For that map please see: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppq/maps/gypmoth.pdf )

As for ethically, that is up tot he individual.  I would just point out that several of the outlier infestations of EAB occurred from firewood movement prior to the knowledge of the problem.  I.E. even though you are "not known to be infested" that doesn't always mean you are not infested.  As Greg says, knowing where your wood is coming from and looking for signs can help in the dilemma.

My 2 cents.

[Max sawdust]

Thanks everyone!  The the links and insite is greatly appreciated.
I only sell wood that I felled myself ;)  Looks like I just have to stay up on the latest information on infestations and the laws.  I want to be ethical and legal ;D 
Logdog,  I am working on some local niches like a self serve firewood kiosk along 51 as you come into town.  I think most of those campgrounds have very cheap sources.  As you know wood is abundant around here for those willing to work ;)

Max