I've had to do some research on it because of the fact that we camp in areas that are quaranteed and we aren't and what the restrictions are. We also have to pass through quaranteed areas to get to some areas, etc.
I've discovered that we can carry pieces of structural lumber with no problems because all of the bark has been removed and it is not usually of a hardwood and that is generally well known. Unless you are planning to build a huge fire, a tubfull will make a couple of small fires.
We are losing millions of trees to these things every year and a major part of Ohio's logging income as a result. It's hard to be driving and be able to see bare tree after bare tree or tree stumps in a town where all the trees have been cut to stop the spead because they have been attacked by EAB.
FYI - I haven't been camping at Forked Run or Hocking Hills in a few years but I would hate to see these things invade that beautiful area of the state. I know it's just a matter of time, but I keep hoping they find a way to stop them before they get there. Hopefully, the additional amounts for firewood will be spent on the systemic insecticide that is being shown to stop the things. Supposedly the state is setting up a buffer zone around the quaranteed area that is treated. The systemic has been shown to be 95% or so in preventing the reproduction of EAB. If we can stop people from transporting firewood and stop the spread maybe we can stop this thing. Supposedly EAB only attack ash trees so maybe if they can't find unprotected trees and the ash trees in the areas where they already are die then they will have no place to reproduce and may die off. I know, wishful thinking.
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eubank wrote: Ah, well, having to cut and split some 10 to 12 cords of wood per year for our woodstove, I'll certainly give a contrary view. It is VERY hard work that involves not just securing and splitting the "good" firewood, but also disposing legally of the slash. (In my experience, a single load of "good" firewood implies two or three loads of slash.) And with today's prices for fuel, the job is not getting any easier!
Pay what it costs, because it's tough work and expensive.
Lynn
I agree with following the rules, and I agree that cutting wood is tough work. I work part time with my Dad each winter and we cut around 50 to 100 ranks a year to sell.
Having said that, the prices the some of the campgrounds charge are outrageous!! I refuse to pay $5.00 for 6-8 sticks of wood, when I know for a fact that the going price for a rank (4 foot by 8 foot stack) is around $40 to $45. You can get alot more for a rank in the larger cities though as those folks buy wood by the wheelbarrow load for their fireplaces. Even then though they pay less than the campgrounds charge.
Lucky for us, virtually all of our trips are within the borders of our own state. So I don't have to worry about any restrictions yet. The only problem I may run into is if they start restricting by county within my home state at some point in the future. Then I will either by from a local woodlot near the campground, or I will do without a fire. I refuse to pay the ridiculous prices charged at the campground.
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Some private CG's here in Ohio are using the excuse of the bug to ban all wood from outside the park and then refuse to let you collect downed wood, then they charge around $10/bundle along with $4/12 minute shower, etc. I've been picking up wood pallets and chopping them up. The boards stack neatly and I can fit a tone of them in my truck.
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The construction scrap I mentioned is the untreated stuff - plain old 2X_ pine or spruce lumber pieces that are left after basic construction of homes or buildings.
And how do you know for sure that it is "UNtreated"?? most is treated.
Case in point - we just came home from a long weekend in one of our favorite CO State Parks. Yesterday new folks moved in to the next site and proceeded to unload their scrap-lumber firewood. As evening came tey proceeded to loight a large bon-fire in the fire rinag. Soon our ytrailer was filled woth the most vile-smelling smoke I have ever experienced! 85 degrees adwe had to close the trailer up tight and run the AC! Yes - I asked where he got his wood. It was left over from a fence builing project and yes, it was pressure treated. Tough on the neighbors - especially when I suffer from CoPD!!
"• It is against the law (M.S. 89.551 Sec. 2 Subd.3b) to bring unapproved firewood into any state park, state forest or day-use area.
• To find an approved firewood vendor near your destination, check the approved firewood vendor listing A-K or L-K. The listing is by name of facility. Be sure to keep your receipt to show proof of purchase.
• Firewood can harbor many different kinds of invasive pests that are harmful to Minnesota trees. Firewood restrictions are needed to help prevent the introduction or spread of damaging forest pests including emerald ash borer, gypsy moth, and oak wilt."
Remember when there were a ton of ELM Trees everywhere? I know in Minneapolis and St. Paul they lost a ton of Elm's and in St. Paul they replaced those with Ginko Trees (no where near as nice). While none of us would knowing run around with a buggy piece of wood it does happen, and the firewood vendors could wind up hauling a huge number of pests far distances without realizing it.
Last Weekend we spent $4.00 for each bundle of wood at a MN state Park. It was very dry birch and burned real well. I didn't count the number of logs in the bundle but two of them made a nice long burning fire. I don't think it is a scam of any sorts, the State just wants to have wood grown and cut in an area to stay in that area so the pests and bugs don't get transported elsewhere and cause more problems.
On the NH camping website they ask that people not bring firewood from other states so as not to bring bugs and diseases that don't belong in NH. Any other states asking this?
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HERE is what Ontario Parks is asking of campers to Ontario's provincial parks. Also, the site has some good info on the emerald ash borer and the Asian Longhorn beetle.
It is actually fairly easy to tell what is pressure treated and what is not. Pressure treated lumber will have a foul smell. It will also tend to have a green tint. Untreated lumber will have little to no smell and will be white to yellow in color. I don't burn treated lumber, only the untreated. I have worked enough with lumber to know what is treated and what is not. If you are unsure what treated lumber looks like, walk into your local Lowes, Home Depot, or local DYI and look at it. You can see an obvious difference in the color and texture.
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