Quarantine Zone
TreatmentsA geographically defined area where the movement of regulated articles such as wood, plants, or soil is restricted to prevent the spread of a specific pest or disease.
A quarantine zone is a legally designated geographic area established by federal or state agencies to contain and prevent the spread of a destructive pest or disease. Within quarantine boundaries, the movement of regulated materials, which might include firewood, nursery stock, logs, soil, or specific plant species, is restricted or prohibited.
Quarantine zones have been established for numerous tree health threats in the United States, including emerald ash borer, Asian longhorned beetle, sudden oak death (Phytophthora ramorum), and citrus greening. The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and state departments of agriculture enforce these quarantines, which may include inspection requirements, treatment mandates, and penalties for violations.
The effectiveness of quarantine zones depends heavily on public compliance. One of the most important quarantine-related messages for the public is not to move firewood. Long-distance transport of firewood has been identified as a major pathway for spreading wood-boring insects and tree diseases to new areas. Buying firewood locally (within 50 miles) and burning it completely before leaving a campsite are simple actions that significantly reduce the risk of inadvertently spreading quarantined pests.