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Movement of Woody Debris Could Spread Tree-Killing Invasive Pest

For Immediate Release: November 9, 2012
Contact:  Lynne Richmond
(609) 633-2954

(TRENTON) -- The New Jersey Department of Agriculture and United States Department of Agriculture’s Animal Plant Health Inspection Service is urging residents in the previously established Asian longhorned beetle quarantine zone in Middlesex and Union Counties to be extremely careful about disposing of any woody debris caused by Hurricane Sandy or for using recently cut wood as firewood. 

Residents in Carteret, Woodbridge, Rahway, Linden, Roselle, Elizabeth and Clark are being reminded to NOT move firewood outside the quarantine zone. 

Those with woody debris caused by the storm should set it out for pick up by local public works crews, who are aware of the protocol for disposing of wood that may contain the beetle.  Residents in other areas of the state may continue to use their downed hardwood for firewood, but are encouraged to use it locally.

Tree removal companies and utility companies working with the Asian longhorned beetle quarantine zone will be contacted by the state and federal officials and reminded to take all downed trees and other woody debris to the Linden facility for processing.

"With everything people have had to contend with during the storm, they may not be thinking about the wood or woody debris in their back yard possibly harboring the Asian longhorned beetle," New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Douglas H. Fisher said. "Let's not allow the cleanup from this natural disaster to enable the spread of this destructive, invasive, tree-killing pest."     

Click here for more information about the Asian longhorned beetle, New Jersey eradication efforts and information about movement of wood.