Firewood from cut ash trees available at 3 sites

1/21/2013

Wood from hundreds of ash trees to be cut down in three state parks in northwest Ohio will be available free to the public at those parks this winter, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources has announced.

Between 500 and 700 trees killed by emerald ash borers are to be cut down in East Harbor, Catawba Island, and Maumee Bay state parks between now and camping season’s spring start. Firewood will be placed in designated areas at each park and can be obtained daily between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.

State officials recommend the firewood be burned locally by April. State law prohibits transporting borer-infested firewood out of a posted quarantine zone.

Park managers encourage people to donate trees to the state park system to replace the lost ash trees. Those interested in doing so, or making financial donations for tree purchases, should contact individual park offices.