Solar drying fire wood to kill all insects
9/29/23
Hi, I have been trying to find out if my solar dried fire wood is safe to bring from VA to NC and it looks like there are experts here who could answer that. I know it is probably not legal since it is not certified but I just want to know that I would not be introducing any disease to the forest in NC. We live in VA and have a house in the mountains in NC. My wood is usually dried to about 9% MC. My current batch has been in the kiln for two summers and is at 3% MC. I know the kiln gets to at least 120 degrees but I can’t say for how many hours at a time.
If someone can answer this, it will make my day.
Thank you very much,
Mimi
10/2/23 #2: Solar drying fire wood to kill all ...
It's not the moisture content that counts, it's the heat. The center of your pieces of firewood have to reach 133 degrees. That means at least 150 degrees in the kiln. But I suggest you not transport it if you aren't certified. Careless handling of skids from Asia killed nearly every ash tree in the United States.
11/22/23 #3: Solar drying fire wood to kill all ...
Solar-dried firewood that has been heated to at least 133 degrees Fahrenheit for a sufficient amount of time is considered safe to transport from Virginia to North Carolina, even if it is not certified. This temperature is sufficient to kill all insects and pests that could potentially carry diseases.