Dear Don’t Move Firewood,
What about scrap lumber, 2x4s and such? Since the original lumber is moved around the country before I buy it at the lumber yard, it doesn’t seem that restricting its movement could have any impact on the pest problem. Can I safely carry around a box of 2×4 scraps to use as kindling….and obtain “real” wood at the site? Would California, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Idaho and Colorado have any problem with that?
Yours,
Thifty Lumber Saver
Dear Thrifty,
Scrap 2×4 lumber (or similar) that has been stored in a clean and dry indoor location- to prevent infestation from insects or soil after the lumber was cut- is typically fine to use, and generally not prohibited by the states you listed. The only exception that is worth noting is that some campgrounds prohibit the use of scrap lumber because of safety risk to their workers of nails, brackets, strongties, etc being left in fire pits. Check ahead of time, just in case that’s the case.
For more information on this topic, please visit:
- Don’t Move Firewood Regulations Map, for information on all the states listed
- What about moving lumber? Archived blog
- Using ends of cut 2x4s? Archived blog
- Construction waste as firewood. Archived blog
- What about burning cut pallets? Archived blog
Editor’s Note: we edit, shorten, and make anonymous all Dear Don’t Move Firewood entries- but they are all derived from real emails or Facebook posts!