At first sight the emerald ash borer will make you awe in wonder. Its slender bronze body is only half an inch long and is shielded by two striking metallic green wings. Its colorful appearance may not be a sign of danger at first but once you realize it has the ability to quickly kill even healthy ash trees you'll probably think twice the next time you see that little bugger.

Emerald Ash Borer is native to Asia, but in the United States, it is considered one of the most dangerous invasive insects of the forest. Since its introduction to the United States in 2002, it has been responsible for the death of approximately 20 million ash trees in Michigan, Ohio and Indiana.

The emerald ash borer is only one of the several invasive species threatening our forests. Others include: Asian longhorned beetle attacks maples, birches, ash, sycamore, poplar, willow, elm, hackberry, mountain ash, horsechestnut; Sirex woodwasp attacks pines (Scots, red, white, Austrian, pitch); Hemlock wooly adelgid attacks hemlock; Asian gypsy moth attacks more than 500 hosts including oak, basswood, birch, poplar, alder, willow, larch, hemlock, pine and spruce; Light brown apple moth attacks apple, oaks, pines, poplars, walnut; Brown spruce longhorned beetle attacks spruces and Oak wilt attacks oaks, especially red oak.

Once these invasive insects are in the United States, they travel from one state to another or from one region to another inadvertently by humans, through movement of plants and wood not known to be infested. Firewood is of special concern as a transporter to these insects because it is frequently moved long-distance by campers and others.

In order to protect New York state's trees and forests, we must prevent the spread of these pests. The NYS DEC has taken a direct step toward that goal by limiting the importation and movement of untreated firewood. The regulation prohibits importing out-of-state firewood unless it is treated to eliminate invasive insect species, fungi and pathogens.

Transporting any untreated firewood within New York state is also limited. Any untreated firewood is not to travel more than 50 miles from its originated source.

In addition, a self issued certificate for transport and possession of New York sourced untreated firewood for personal use must accompany a load of firewood that is being transported.

All species of trees that are used as firewood are regulated since dangerous, invasive insects and diseases can be found in, or on, almost every native New York tree species.

For the purposes of this regulation, “firewood” is defined to be “any kindling, logs, chunkwood, boards, timbers or other wood of any tree species cut and split, or not split, into a form and size appropriate for use as fuel.” Log-length material is not automatically covered under this regulation, unless it is used to produce firewood (that is, ‘cut and split, or not split, into a form and size appropriate for use as fuel.”

For more information about the firewood regulation, visit dec.ny.gov/animals/44008.html.

Renee Jensen is a community educator of environmental issues at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Cayuga County