Firewood Regulations Dropped in Illinois

After a decade of banning in-state transportation of firewood because of fears over the Emerald Ash Borer, The Illinois Department of Agriculture has given up stating it is no longer justified. The bug is too wide spread. What are the signs you have infestation?

The Emerald Ash Borer Bug has spread to the point that officials in Illinois say "uncle". The destructive bug, first detected in Kane County in 2006, has shown up in 60 of 102 Illinois counties.

According to CBS Chicago, “There’s a point where it’s too widespread and the quarantine just doesn’t make sense anymore,” Agriculture Department plant and pesticide specialist Scott Schirmer said Wednesday.

Remember back in 2006 when counties in Illinois, including Winnebago County, cut down tress to avoid the spread. Then in 2007, trees were quarantined in Winnebago County trying to slow down the spread. It didn't help.

Signs you have Emerald Ash Borer Bugs in your backyard trees include thinning and yellowing leaves, and D-shaped holes in the bark of the trunk or branches and basal shoots. My neighbors on each side of my house had them and now my tree is dead too. It has to come down completely.

Since it was first detected near Detroit in 2002, the Asian beetle has killed nearly 200 million Ash trees in Illinois alone.

Even though the transport quarantine has been lifted in Illinois, officials urge all to be cautious when moving any kinds of fire woods.

Well played Emerald Ash Bore.

You win.