Is It Legal In New York State To Buy Cheap Firewood From Out Of Town?

With the upcoming snowstorm looming in parts of New York State and heating prices being so high, you might be considering buying cheap firewood from out of town. But, before you do here's what you need to know.

Can You Legally Bring Firewood Into New York State From Out Of Town Or Online?

You might be tempted by cheap prices for firewood from across the New York State border or even online to save some money. If you live near an Amish village in Pennsylvania, they might be offering a sup good deal. Or, maybe you found someone selling a cheap firewood bundle on Etsy or eBay.  Or, you might even know of a good reasonably priced spot a couple of towns over. Can you legally take advantage of these great deals?

It depends.

New York State's Department of Environmental Conservation regulates firewood. As innocent as it may seem, moving firewood can have dire environmental consequences,

Moving untreated firewood is one of the main ways invasive pests and diseases spread to new areas. Many people take wood from their properties as they head out to camp, hunt, etc., but most don't realize their wood may be hiding the eggs, larvae, spores, adults, or even seeds of invasive threats. Transporting infested firewood allows invasives to spread further and faster than they would have on their own.

The regulations in New York apply to "all species of wood, cut or not cut, split or not split, that is destined for use as fuel."

If you want to purchase firewood from outside of New York State, it MUST be treated, otherwise, it is illegal,

Untreated firewood may not be imported into NY from any other state or country.

New York State takes its precautions even further, as you cannot legally purchase untreated firewood from another region of the state,

Untreated firewood grown in NY may not be transported more than 50 miles (linear distance) from its source or origin unless it has been heat-treated to 71° C (160° F) for 75 minutes.

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