Emerald Ash Borer

EAB is an ash tree-killilng insect from Asia, inadvertently imported 10-15 years ago.  The pest is a wood-boring beetle that kills ash trees in three to five years.  Adults are dark metallic green, about the size of a Tic-Tac, and fly May thru September.  Larvae spend the rest of the year beneath the bark of ash trees, and when they emerge as adults, leave behind small D-shaped exit holes in the bark.

What is a quarantine, and how does it stop the spread of EAB?

The Ohio Department of Agriculture has imposed quarantines on certain areas of Ohio known to be infested with EAB.  The quarantine is designed to keep ash tree materials that may harbor the pest from leaving infested areas.  This reduces the possibility of citizens carryiing EAB to other non-infested parts of the state.

What is the difference between the state and federal quarantines?

The federal government has quarantined the state of Ohio, making it illegal to move ash trees, parts of ash trees, and all hardwood firewood out of the state of Ohio without federal certification.  This is in addition to the state's quarantined areas, making it illegal to move these materials out of infested counties within the state of Ohio.

What is restricted from leaving the quarantine?

It is illegal to move ash trees, parts of an ash tree, and all non-coniferous (hardwood) firewood out of Ohio's quarantined areas.  Violators face state fines up to $4,000 and steeper federal fines.

Is processed wood or construction material considered firewood?

Construction material without the bark and outer half inch of sapwood attached does not pose a risk of spreading EAB because the infested part of the wood has been removed.  Therefore, construction material can move in and out of quarantined areas without any issues.

Is all firewod quarantines or just ash firewood?

All hardwood (non-coniferous) firewood is quarantined because it is difficult to differentiate between ash wood and other hardwood species.  This is especially true for the casual firewood user and homeowner.  Therefore, all hardwood firewood is regulated.  In addition to the EAB concern, firewood can harbor other invasive pests, like gypsy moth, that are unwanted and can cause harm to our environment.

What is non-coniferous (hardwood) firewood?

Trees that have broad leaves are non-coniferous and cannot be moved outside of a quarantined area.  Trees that have needles and produce a pinecone are coniferous and can be moved.  If you don't know what type of firewood you're transporting, don't transport it.

Can I buy firewood at a state park?

All state park offices offer firewood for sale.  This firewood comes from a non-quarantined area and is not a danger to spreading EAB.  If you live in a quarantined area and are traveling outside the county, leave your firewood at home and arrange to buy firewood directly from the park or from a local vendor in the same county as the park.

Where am I allowed to take firewood?

Scenario A:  You live in a quarantined county and are traveling to a neighboring quarantined county.  You can take firewood into adjacent quarantined counties because both areas are know to be infested with EAB.  If you choose to do this, be sure to burn what you take.

Scenario B:  You live in a non-quarantined county and are traveling to a quarantined county.  You can take firewood into quarantined areas, but it's a one-way trip and the materials cannot leave again.  If you don't know the quarantine boundaries, don't move firewood at all.

Scenario C:  You are traveling from on non-quarantined county to another but are passing through a quarantined county.  You can take firewood with you but only if you meet the following stipulations: 

1.  The firewood must be tarped or covered while in transit.

2.  Do not stop in the quarantined area except for fueling and for traffic stops.

3.  Have papers documenting firewood purchases or know the firewood origination.

Scenario D:  You are traveling from one quarantined county to another but are passing through a non-quarantined county.  You need to leave your firewood at home and make provisions to buy local firewood when you get to your destintion county.  Taking potentially infested firewood out of a quarantined county risks spreading the insect, and if you are passing through a non-infested part of the state with this material, you're putting more of Ohio's natural resources at risk.

Where can I get more information on EAB quarantines?

For more information regarding Ohio's quarantined areas or for a map, contact the Ohio Department of Agriculture toll free at 1-888-OHIO-EAB, or find the latest map online at www.ohioagriculture.gov/eab.