Hardwoods are very affordable. Obviously, the process has been refined since then, but you can still make soap with wood ash lye and fats. The cremains might need to be sent to a family member, or they’re heading back to the deceased’s birthplace for interment. The ash borer beetle first appeared in Ottawa last summer. Check USDA’s quarantine map before you move firewood, even to another town. The conditions for the movement of infected ash wood are currently under consideration. Emerald ash borer (EAB) quarantines regulate the movement of ash wood and hardwood firewood. The CFIA's restrictions also apply to the areas in and around Toronto, Sault Ste. Enrich your soil with ashes. For example, I once built a bathroom vanity for a couple from white ash. The site also said that the beetle has already killed millions of ash trees in southwestern Ontario and the United States. If you can move 50 miles before reaching the boundary of a quarantine, then the firewood regulation prohibits further movement of the wood. However, please do not change the title or the content, or remove EPA’s identity as the author. You can also use ash wood as firewood for smoking meat. Presto! Be Gone. If you do make substantive changes, please do not attribute the edited title or content to EPA or the author. So a Janka rating is an average of numerous tests performed on all directions and numerous pieces. Studies indicate that the handling characteristics of ash generally improve with increasing relative humidity so avoid spreading on extremely dry days. Not surprisingly, pest infestations are showing up around campgrounds and highway rest areas. It has been used for many purposes throughout history. Firewood has been shown to be an especially troublesome means by which pests are spread. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency said Tuesday that it has banned the transportation of firewood out of Ottawa and Gatineau to help stop the spread of the emerald ash borer beetle. Only firewood that is heat treated, kiln-dried (160° F for at least 75 minutes), is allowed to be brought into parks with source documentation. A steel ball is used to push down into a block of wood until it becomes embedded halfway through. "The Emerald Ash Borer poses a serious threat to our forest cover in both urban and rural Ottawa," Peter Hume, chair of the city's planning and environment committee, said in a news release. Wood ashes will help to fertilize soil by providing phosphorus, potassium, and calcium, among other nutrients. Wood ash from your fireplace contains a number of nutrients that can be very beneficial to a garden – in the right circumstances. But never use the ash from charcoal, trash fires, or treated wood, which can contain toxic chemical residue from additives. What is at risk from transporting these pests? Doing your part will help sustain the health of our great forest resources and neighborhood trees. Strength is guaranteed when using Oak. The views expressed here are intended to explain EPA policy. Firewood has historically been moved with little consideration of the pests it could be harboring. A recent arrival to Canada, Emerald Ash Borer has no natura… The emerald ash borer, for example, has killed millions of ash trees in Canada since it first arrived from Asia. Eats: Ash trees Colour: Emerald green back, bright green underbelly If you live in Manitoba, Ontario, southern Quebec, New Brunswick or Nova Scotia, you may have already heard of this guy. Other states, including Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, and Maryland, have also imposed regulations on the movement and importation of firewood. Ash increases soil pH. In addition, jobs in the timber and forestry industries and manufacturing sector (flooring, cabinets, pallets, and even baseball bats) are impacted. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) estimates that over 30 million ash trees have already been killed by the emerald ash borer in Michigan alone, with millions dead or dying in other states (see related blog). It is a priority for CBC to create a website that is accessible to all Canadians including people with visual, hearing, motor and cognitive challenges. The process to season ash takes between six and 18 months. Wood ash do’s and don’ts. As you can see, wood ash is a wonderful item to have on hand because of its versatility. If you’re a camper heading out for a trip — or just getting firewood for your wood stove — do nature a favor. EPA is providing this link for informational purposes only. Plant pests can also deprive animals of their habitat and damage private property. You can make a primitive wood ash cement by mixing wood ash with terra cotta. EPA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies, internet applications or any policies or information expressed therein. Apply in much the same manner as above, although you may want to apply to your bare arms and legs as well. Moving firewood around the province is a common way for them to spread. Bob in Wardensville wants to know how to use his huge store of wood ashes in the garden. Note that seasoned wood alone is not an adequate treatment method because some insects can survive in untreated firewood for many months. Closed Captioning and Described Video is available for many CBC shows offered on CBC Gem. Firewood is frequently moved long distances by campers and retailers. However, the issue is getting increasing attention. Greenwood; The Nature Conservancy. You must follow the more restrictive rules for firewood transport between the quarantine and the firewood regulation. If you hired a certified tree company to remove your ash trees infested with EAB, they can safely dispose of the wood you … Because EAB does not travel far on its own, limiting human transportation of infested material will slow its spread. Check with (603) 271-2561 to determine if your in-state movement of firewood is regulated. Marie and Carignan, Que., and the ministerial order includes the transportation of wood chips, logs and other ash tree products. Thirty states have imposed various levels of quarantine as a result of the emerald ash borer. The CFIA's website described the emerald ash borer as a destructive insect that attacks and kills ash trees. According to the USDA, the best preventative measure to protect our uninfested urban and rural forests from these pests is to limit the movement of infested materials, including firewood. On its own, it doesn't move very far. Emerald Ash Boreris one of our biggest culprits. The goal of the quarantine is to prevent the spread of this pest from quarantined counties (where the pest is I would love to upgrade the fireplace in my living room to solid ash wood. In many states, all trees used as firewood are now regulated since they have the potential to harbor invasive insects and diseases. The following information should help you determine whether or not is it acceptable to move firewood within or between states. The regulations restrict the movement of ash tree materials, but also of all other varieties of firewood because that's the key way the beetle is spread, said the CFIA. The emerald ash borer is a highly destructive invasive beetle that attacks and kills all species of ash trees. Firewood producers and dealers must provide documentation on the source of their firewood. If you’re unaware of what that means, the Janka Test is used to determine how durable a variety of wood is. Season wood by stacking it in place where air will circulate around and through the stack. Split firewood in a backyardPhoto: ©L. Here’s other ideas of what you can do with dead ash trees–even if they had EAB. EAB ALERT: The transport of ash wood and all firewood out of the City of Winnipeg has been banned, effective January 2018, following the discovery of the deadly Emerald Ash Borer beetle in the city. Risk Assessment of the Movement of Firewood within the United States. Found in: Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. The hardness of wood varies with the direction of the wood grain, and varies from piece to piece. EPA's official web site is www.epa.gov. If you transport the firewood further, you risk spreading EAB. Be warned that RVs and other vehicles that have been parked for long periods of time can also harbor tree pests and their eggs. This year, USDA and several states put out urgent pleas to avoid transporting firewood. As a general rule, you can transport ashes as cargo or carry them on the plane with you. Camping firewood on the move.Photo: © L. Greenwood; The Nature Conservancy. There may be additional restrictions of firewood movement within state. Wearing gloves, add ashes to your potting mix a handful at a time, measuring the PH as you go to get the perfect balance. You should ALWAYS check with your airline to verify specific policies for transporting cremated remains. Wood ash provides nutrients such as phosphorous, calcium and boron that can help your plants flourish. Ash is a popular and durable wood for furniture projects, and it takes stains and other finishing products well. Some regulations do not allow the transport of wood beyond a 50-mile radius of an EAB-restricted zone. Emerald ash borer does not damage the interior of the tree and if the tree was big enough, you can turn it into planks that you can use or sell. They do not change anyone's rights or obligations. About the Author: Marcia is with EPA’s Center of Expertise for School IPM in Dallas, Texas. Click on any state or province on this map to learn more about local regulations and how you can be a responsible firewood user. ", Audience Relations, CBC P.O. Some regulations do not allow the transport of wood beyond a 50-mile radius of an EAB-restricted zone. Just as wood ash helps your pets and other animals stay pest-free, you can use wood ash to protect yourself when you’re out in the woods. Don’t move firewood long distances — it can potentially transport invasive species. It can take some extreme color and still present its open grain “woody” look. Always cover wood ash during transport to prevent losses en route to the application site. However, you need to be careful about the source of your wood ashes, since some commonly used wood is chemically treated. This video shows what happens when you use ash from a fire in the vegetable garden and around fruit trees. About 25 per cent of the region's tree canopy is made up of ash trees, Hume said. Editor's Note: In the Northeast alone, most states have restrictions on the movement of wood products. You can retest and add more ash over the coming months, as desired. The safest and surest means by which the moisture evaporates is simply to let the wood sit and let nature carry on. Harder woods create good, solid long-lasting joinery in furniture. You may need to take them on a plane, mail them in the post, or even drive with them over state borders. If not removed prior to a road trip, these vehicles can introduce pests into a previously uninfested area. She holds a PhD in Environmental Management from Montclair State University along with degrees in Biology, Environmental Design, Landscape Architecture, and Instruction and Curriculum. A: Yes, wood ash can be applied to the soil as a source of highly soluble potassium and phosphorus, but with caveats: Screen or pick out the obvious chunks of wood. 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