Is it OK to bring firewood in from another county or state?
It's better not to — the rule of thumb is "buy it where you burn it," ideally within about 50 miles. Firewood carries invasive pests like the emerald ash borer, which has already hit ash trees across Western North Carolina, plus spotted lanternfly and various blights. Moving wood long distances is the fastest way to spread them into new stands.
Why the rule exists
Firewood is a moving van for tree-killing pests. Insect eggs, larvae, and fungal spores ride along in the bark and under it, invisible until they hatch into a new stand of trees miles away.
The emerald ash borer, which has devastated ash across Western North Carolina, spread partly this way; spotted lanternfly and various blights travel the same route. Moving a load of wood from another county or state can seed an infestation that kills local trees for years. It's why campgrounds and forests across the region post 'don't move firewood' signs at the gate.
What "local" means
The national guidance is simple: buy it where you burn it, ideally sourced within about fifty miles, and same-county is better still. Some states run firewood quarantines that legally restrict what you can move and where.
The one real exception is firewood that's certified kiln-dried and heat-treated — that process kills the hitchhikers, which is why it's the wood allowed to travel and the safe pick if you're bringing any to a mountain rental or campsite.
The practical move
For your home stack, source from a nearby WNC seller — there's plenty of good local hardwood, and buying close keeps our forests healthier. The bark beetle and borer damage we already see on local ridgelines is reason enough to keep wood close to home.
If you've already hauled wood in from out of the area, don't stockpile it: burn it promptly this season rather than letting it sit and potentially release pests into your yard. And never carry your local firewood out to a distant campground for the same reason in reverse. Call (828) 545-0525 if you're setting up a new wood stove and want advice on sourcing.
Related questions
- What should I look for when buying firewood?
- What is kiln-dried firewood and is it worth the extra cost?
- Can I burn wood from trees cut down in my own yard?
- Will a firewood pile near the house attract termites or other pests?
- What is a cord of firewood, and how many cords do I need for a winter?
- How do I know if my house has natural gas or propane?
Still deciding? Talk to a real installer.
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