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April 2009

Mon, 04/06/2009
Sticky traps for invasive bugs
Posted by: L. Greenwood
Comments:

In the fight against invasives tree killing pests, sometimes you need to think like a bundle of firewood.

In a recent article out of Florida, the message not to move firewood was subtle but present. In several places, the author talked about risk of pests traveling in firewood, as seen here;

Tue, 04/07/2009
Ashes going like Elms
Posted by: L. Greenwood
Comments:

It is hard not to sound apocalyptic when talking about invasive insects and diseases that kill trees.

Wed, 04/08/2009
New well established EAB infestation
Posted by: L. Greenwood
Comments:

A new infestation of EAB, found in Wisconsin, puts Minnesota and Iowa at great risk.

An observant person along the banks of the Mississippi River in Wisconsin recently found and reported a previously unknown infestation of Emerald ash borer. Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Iowa have all issued press releases about this new infestation, as it is near the states' borders. The press releases can all be boiled down to a few quick facts;

Wed, 04/15/2009
Baseball bats at risk
Posted by: L. Greenwood
Comments: 0

The best baseball bats are made from White ash. Emerald ash borers love to eat, and therefore kill, White ash. In a recent article by Men's Journal, the connection between the threat of moving firewood, and the death of the finest baseball bat material tree in the United States, was made clear.

Thu, 04/16/2009
Baseball story, twice is nice
Posted by: L. Greenwood
Comments: 1

The baseball bat to emerald ash borer connection was made again today on NBCwashington.com. I'm glad this story is getting some good press, because it is important to understand that forest insects are a problem in so many ways. Not moving firewood protects, in a very real way, the places we love- even if those places are baseball diamonds.

Sat, 04/18/2009
News roundup for early April
Posted by: L. Greenwood
Comments: 0

Camping season is upon us, as is the season for bugs to start emerging. Everyday there is another news story about firewood or invasive insects. I can't keep up! Here are a couple of recent interesting highlights;

 

Tree examinations yield no ash borers in Iowa -- yet.  Gazette Online of Iowa

Mon, 04/20/2009
Cautionary tale
Posted by: L. Greenwood
Comments: 0

Gypsy moths are a non-native forest pest that can be very destructive, and certainly if you live in an area that does not have them, you don't want them! Of course, firewood is one way that the moths can travel. On Friday, the Gazette Xtra of Janesville WI published a short story called "What's that crunching sound? Gypsy moths coming soon" with a very telling anecdote from a local resident.

 

Wed, 04/22/2009
Iowans on alert
Posted by: L. Greenwood
Comments: 0

The people of Iowa are on the alert for the Emerald ash borer. I'm glad to hear that they are right on taget- in today's article "Keep the beetle out of Iowa" by the Hampton Today, they said all the right things.

 

The movement of out-of-state firewood to and through Iowa poses the greatest threat to spread EAB. Areas currently infested are under federal and state quarantines, but unknowing campers or others who transport firewood can spark an outbreak.

Thu, 04/23/2009
Proactive measures in Minnesota
Posted by: L. Greenwood
Comments: 0

The good people at the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) have put a firewood quarantine in the nearest county to the newly found Iowa infestation (Houston County, MN). While the EAB has yet to arrive (or, be found) in Minnesota, officials are wasting no time in starting preventative actions.

 

Fri, 04/24/2009
Arbor Day
Posted by: L. Greenwood
Comments: 0

It is Arbor Day, and instead of writing (as I normally do) about news articles or events that have something to do with firewood, I will just write about trees.

 

Wed, 04/29/2009
The Wood Flu
Posted by: F. Lowenstein
Comments: 0

A worldwide scramble is underway to stop the spread of the swine flu, which has killed over 100 in Mexico and threatens a global pandemic. Governments from New Zealand to New England are putting into play extra regulations on travel; Mexico canceled school nationwide.

 

Thu, 04/30/2009
Mainers love maples
Posted by: L. Greenwood
Comments: 0

Maine is pretty darn close to Massachusetts, and of course Maine is a great state for camping, hiking, fishing, and many other outdoor activities. Of course, this puts Maine at risk from people that move firewood.