No outside firewood is allowed into the campground, due to the many tree killing insects and diseases that can live in wood.
No one is permitted to bring firewood into the campground (here's why...)
Do Not Bring Firewood
Despite billboards, news reports and other notices, we still find it necessary to remind all campers when they make a reservation NOT to bring in outside firewood, due to the many fungi, non-native and/or tree killing insects and related diseases that can live in the wood. Bringing in outside firewood can cause new infestations, which destroy the trees in our campground. Even if your firewood has no visible indications of insects or disease, they may still be present. Tiny threats such as a few insect eggs or fungus spores are enough to devastate an entire forest.
It does not matter whether you plan to burn all of your wood or not: a little chip of bark or a rain storm is all it would take to infest our local trees with a potential insect or disease. These infestations are incredibly difficult to control and usually require replacing large stands of trees. The threat comes in the form of non-native insects and diseases, which our trees have no natural defenses against. With no natural defenses to stop them, infestations are able to get out of control very quickly, usually killing many trees before it can be controlled or stopped.
Michigan is currently facing infestations that include:
- Emerald Ash Borer
- Beech Bark Disease
- Dutch Elm Disease
- European Gypsy Moth
- Asian Longhorned Beetle
- Hemlock Woolly Adelgid
- Thousand Cankers Disease
- Balsam Woolly Adelgid
- Oak Wilt Fungus
- Giant Hogweed
The Emerald Ash Borer
The Emerald Ash Borer is one of the primary concerns (although NOT the only concern). Entire forests of trees have been clear-cut to our south and in the Upper Peninsula, because people unwittingly move firewood that often contains the Emerald Ash Borer larva or beetles. This particular tree-killing insect has already caused the destruction of tens of millions of ash trees in southeastern Michigan alone, not counting the tens of millions more lost in other states.
Since a large percentage of the trees within the campground are Ash, the borer is a significant risk to our trees. Watch our video to see what steps the campground is taking to recover from potential infestation by the Emerald Ash Borer. Then scroll down to see what the DNR has to say about this issue.
Transplanting Trees due to the Emerald Ash Borer
Episode 3 of the Mackinaw Mill Creek Camping Show follows Chris Rogala as he demonstrates the transplanting of trees at the campground and discusses the threat of the Emerald Ash Borer to Northern Michigan Ash trees. We ask that campers abide by Michigan law by not transporting or bringing firewood into the campground from outside sources.
Michigan DNR's Statement
The State of Michigan's website states that Transporting firewood is devastating Michigan's native trees:
"Invasive insects and diseases have killed millions of trees in Michigan - often after hitching a ride on firewood. Hauling firewood, even a short distance, from one part of the state to another is a common way for these invasive species to infest new locations. Examples of invasives species include oak wilt, emerald ash borer and Asian longhorned beetle, among many others."
The State of Michigan's Department of Agriculture & Rural Development states to Buy It Where You Burn It:
"Utilize firewood that is certified as heat treated or buy firewood at your destination, burn it all on site and don’t take any home with you."
See our complete list of Terms & Conditions.