Managing Contaminated Animal and Plant Materials: Field Guide on ...

Planning for field burning<strong>Field</strong> burning is considered an economicalmethod for disposing of contaminated plantmaterials unless fuel costs rise too high.Perennial field crops such as fruit trees<strong>and</strong> lumber may be destroyed on-site if theproper open-air burning procedures are followed.Address site-safety <strong>and</strong> air-quality issuesbefore beginning destruction procedures.One caution with these burning methods isto avoid lumbers that are treated with chemicalssuch as chromated copper arsenate. Theselumbers are typically treated as special waste<strong>and</strong> must be disposed in accordance with local<strong>and</strong> State regulations. In general, the lumberscan be buried at approved l<strong>and</strong>fills but cannotbe incinerated as are other plant materials.Nursery greenhouse plant materials maybe burned at designated burning locations.However, if a fixed facility is used, the cost ofharvesting <strong>and</strong> transporting the crop materialsshould be considered.For some crop pathogens, field burningmay have undesirable effects <strong>and</strong> increase theseverity of the disease. Consult with a plantdisease specialist before conducting a fieldburningoperation.9595