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Scott County bans firewood from outside counties

Recent infestations of Emerald Ash Borer have prompted conservation officials in Scott County to ban firewood brought in from outside of Scott County.
Emerald Ash Borer photo from forestryimages.org

Recent infestations of Emerald Ash Borer have prompted conservation officials in Scott County to ban firewood brought in from outside of Scott County.

A firewood quarantine followed the discovery of Emerald Ash Borer in Burlington, Iowa in mid-July 2013.  Less than a week later, authorities confirmed Emerald Ash Borer was found in Whiteside County, Illinois as well.

Click here to see how to safely transport firewood.

Emerald Ash Borer is considered one of the most destructive pests ever seen in North America.  The larvae kill ash trees by burrowing under the bark and eating the actively-growing layers of the trees. The Emerald Ash Borer destroys the water and nutrient conducting tissues under the bark, and infested trees often show die back in the canopy first.

Now, Scott County Conservation authorities are taking measures to try to prevent the spread of Emerald Ash Borer, which is commonly spread by transporting it in cut wood.  Their conservation board passed a resolution August 14, 2013 that prohibits firewood from being brought onto any Conservation Board property from any location outside of Scott County.   Only firewood that meets state and USDA labeling requirements may be exempt from the ban.

As of January 2011, all firewood sold in Iowa must include information about the county and state where the wood was harvested.

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