Asian Long Horned Beetle Infestation Threat
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A new and potentially serious threat to some of North America’s most beautiful and popular trees is the Asian Longhorned Beetle (Anoplophora glabripennis). Native to parts of Asia, the beetle is believed to have arrived in North America in the wooden packing material used in cargo shipments from China. Isolated Asian Longhorned Beetle infestations have been discovered in Brooklyn and Amityville, New York, and in Chicago, Illinois. In all instances where Asian Longhorned Beetles have been found, authorities have reacted quickly to stop the infestation from spreading. Trees favored by the Asian Longhorned Beetle are predominantly maples, but infestations have also been discovered in horsechestnuts, poplars, willows, elms, mulberries and black locusts. Currently, there is no known chemical or biological defense against the Asian Longhorned Beetle and, in North America, they have few natural predators. In all cases of infestation, the affected trees are cut down and the wood destroyed.
You can still have a roaring campfire, or a cozy night in front of the fireplace, if you just know how to burn safe.
New infestations of tree-killing insects and diseases often are first found in campgrounds and parks. Why? Because people accidentally spread these invasive species when they brought firewood along with them. Don't risk it. Leave your firewood at home, and then buy new wood near to where you'll burn it. Protect the places you love by not moving firewood.What You Can Do Don't risk starting a new infestation of an invasive insect or disease.
You have the power to save trees. Don't take firewood with you on your camping trip, RV adventure, or up to your hunting camp.Don't bring firewood back from your second home to your place in the suburbs. Don't bring it with you on your scout's camping trip. Instead, buy it where you'll burn it.
Wood that looks clean and healthy can still have tiny insect eggs, or microscopic fungi spores, that will start a new and deadly infestation. Always leave it at home, even if you think the firewood looks fineAged or seasoned wood is still not safe. Just because it is dry doesn't mean that bugs can't crawl onto it!Tell your friends not to bring wood with them- everyone needs to know that they should not move firewoodIdeally, your firewood should be from only a few miles away. Nickerson Park sells only hardwood harvested from local properties.
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