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The Worcester Story

Over 30,000 trees have been cut down, with many more to go. Backyards and city streets are denuded. And all of it is from just one kind of beetle.

Asian longhorned beetles have slowly damaged tens of thousands of trees in the Worcester area for at least the last decade, and Worcester isn’t that far from Western Massachusetts. It almost sounds hopeless- but it is not. The tragedy of Worcester’s trees does not need to repeat itself in the leafy towns of Western Massachusetts.

Most of the people around Worcester now know not to move firewood, because they know that it could spread their beetle infestation into new places. But not everyone has heard the message. Whenever you travel, you’ll know that moving firewood could unwittingly spread invasive pests. Even if there are no known pests in the area, don’t take a risk. Sometimes it is years before a pest is found and quarantines are put into place.

We all want to protect the natural beauty and uniqueness of the places we live and visit. By buying local firewood, you are doing your part to protect the health of trees and forests, as well as preserve the environment and economy of places you love.