This Camping Season, Help Prevent the Spread of Tree Diseases

This camping season, government agencies are warning against the inadvertent spread of several different tree diseases through firewood transport. While these diseases are not life threatening to humans, they are devastating to live trees. Tree epidemics are hitting many parts of the country. In 14 coastal California counties, for example, there is an epidemic of Sudden Oak Death, killing tens of thousands of native oak and tanoak trees and prompting quarantines of wood material. In Northern Midwest States the Emerald Ash Borer has caused infestations that have officials enacting ordinances requiring firewood inspection or banning outright certain types of firewood.

Other very common tree diseases include Dutch Elm Disease (DED) and Oak Wilt. DED only affects elm trees and is caused by a fungus that blocks the tree from getting water, so they die because their branches and leaves can't receive water. One major cause of the spread of DED is through transportation of firewood. Oak Wilt is one of the most destructive tree diseases, which is caused by a fungus that creates balloon-like formations that block water flow, similar to DED. Spread of Oak Wilt is perpetuated by people who store affected wood next to their homes or other areas.

Take Action: Everyone can do their part by not storing and transporting diseased firewood. The first thing you can do is decide to stop using traditional firewood, which could contain fungal mats or disease carrying beetles. Otherwise, de-barking and chemical treatment of all of your wood is the only assured way to prevent against spreading tree disease.

However, using all-wood firelogs which are manufactured without chemicals, provides a fuel as warm, natural, and comforting as any firewood log but free of disease, and free from transport restrictions. Our goodwood® firelogs do not contain any pesticides, oil products, or harmful chemicals and have been packaged especially this season for camping enjoyment, and optimum performance in oudoor fireplaces, firepits, and campfires.

For more information about using an all-wood firelog as a firewood and camping alternative visit our website at www.goodwoodproducts.com

Proper Disposal of Firewood

Experts say that when many types of diseased wood are completely dried out, de-barked and chipped it can used for landscaping purposes. Other options include burying the wood. If you don't want to handle it yourself your city may offer a drop-off site for you to bring your unwanted brush. Residents should contact their local district office or city hall to see if the city is sponsoring a community cleanup event. These events usually accept brush for a small fee and are often scheduled in the spring and fall seasons. Another option is to bring brush and woody material to a transfer station or wood processing/recycling facility. Professional tree trimming services may provide chipping and hauling of debris. Another idea is to check with your trash collector to see if they will dispose of brush and woody materials as a part of residential service. And help today by considering switching to goodwood® firelogs, the environmentally-conscious alternative to traditional firewood.

It's Barbeque Time...

So treat yourself to some delicious all-mesquite chunk charcoal! goodwood® Mesquite Charcoal comes in light-the-bag convenient packaging, ready to throw on the grill, light, and cook. No firelighters, chimneys, lighter fluid, or petroleum products - just instant-lighting hot gourmet flavor. Shipped conveniently to your door from our online store, or available in a store near you.

** SPECIAL ** The first 50 orders for goodwood® mesquite charcoal from our online store will receive 10% off - Just enter coupon code "June05" at checkout.

The Summit View Mission

The cornerstone of Summit Views continues to be goodwood® firelogs, the easy-lighting, cleaner-burning, all-wood hearth & campfire product that truly embodies the warmth and nurturing that should be the center of every home and campsite. We are dedicated to promoting safer firewood that does not contain the harmful emissions found in petroleum wax based logs. We developed goodwood® firelogs to fill the need for a product that helps reduce woodsmoke emissions, solves a woodwaste disposal problem, is easy to use, and yet is appealing to the most discriminating customers.

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