Stoking the fire with local wood a hot idea

On a chilly day like Friday, you may be tempted to fire up the wood stove to keep you warm. A new study offers up some recommendations before you buy that that wood.

We don’t always take the time to think about where the products we buy come from, but experts say the origin of firewood can make a big difference.

A new study shows imported firewood may be bringing a bit more than just fuel for the fire.

Home grown firewood is good to buy, but if you buy it from further away sometimes it can spread insects that can be harmful to the environment.

“You can spread these invasive pests and damage the local ecosystem where they’re really just not meant to be there. The natural ecosystem right here just has no defense mechanism against these pests,” said NHC forest ranger Bill Walker.

So how can you be sure the firewood you buy is coming from your backyard? Just ask!

“If you’re buying from a retailer, firewood or something like that, ask them where they get their firewood. It could be that it’s very local, it could be out of state, I’ve never heard of it coming out of country, but it could be,” Walker said.

Frank Brown owns a tree service in Hampstead that specializes in selling firewood during the cooler months. He says many people don’t know about the environmental concerns. “Anything you get local, to me, is always better used. You know what you’re getting. Something that’s shipped in, a lot of times you really don’t know what you’re involved in.”

Retailers like Home Depot, Lowes, and Harris Teeter said their firewood supplies came from as far away as Maryland and Georgia; meaning its best to ask before you buy.

To learn more about the issue you can visit www.dontmovefirewood.org.