Question about collecting in North Carolina

[Jphipps]

Hey guys, I recently moved to North Carolina and I'm looking into trying to collect native material possibly from state land, etc (during late winter/early spring of course). Does anyone have any insight into obtaining permits, cost, where I'm able to collect? I've looked at the state forestry website but it is very vague and their aren't any clear answers. Curious to see if anyone has any further knowledge on this matter. Thanks!

 

[JoeR]

You have to actually call and speak to someone there or go in person.

As far as what to collect, I'd look for American Hornbeam, Virginia Pine, sweetgum, and elm.

 

[DougB]

Hey guys, I recently moved to North Carolina

Welcome to the "Old North State". NC is a state with everything from ocean to mountains. We also have several exceptional bonsai clubs, a fantastic bonsai display and 2 of the best bonsai shows in the country.

But to really help you we need to know where you are located in NC. OH and welcome to the NUT.

 

[Jphipps]

Thank you for the information. I live in the Pinehurst area. I'm planning on going to the next Triangle Bonsai Society meeting as well.

 

[augustine]

What we, my fellow club members do, is dig on private land and give the owner a stipend, normally $25 per person. We remove a limited number of plants. Find someone with at least 20 acres of forested land. Make sure it contains hornbeam which is, IMO, the best east coast native for bonsai. Virginia pines are very good but it's hard to find one suitable for bonsai, they are most always tall and skinny

 

[DougB]

I'm planning on going to the next Triangle Bonsai Society meeting

Welcome J Phipps. Our next meeting is all about ficus, including being able to do grafts. If you would like the pre-meeting email send me a PM. Oh and on Saturday we will have bonsai at the Japanese Summer festival at the NCSU Japanese Club.

 

[StoneCloud]

Didn't want tos start a whole new thread, so I dug up this one!


I have a few trees in my yard I wanted to collect this year. Sweet gum, hollies and oaks...some pine.

Newer to the area I wanted to ask when others here are starting to collect for the year? I have collected trees in the past and know the broad answer of when is the right time, but I was hoping to get some local feedback. Nothing like it!

I don't want to miss my window!

I haven't found any elms or hornbeam on my property yet, but will be keeping an eye out for them as well.

I really want to keep things as native as possible this time around, as I've been forced to restart the collection I'm focused on keeping "baby sitting" to a minimum

 

[rockm]

Best way to find out how to collect locally is to join the nearest bonsai club. They usually know what's possible. Rule of thumb, forget collecting in National Forests in the east. Permits are hard, if impossible to come by, or extremely limited. Private land is typically the way to go for collected stuff.

Depending on where you are in Carolina, dates can vary. With this past deep freeze that reached down into the deep south, ground in your are could be frozen down deep. Here in N. Va. I know there is a layer of frozen solid soil a foot down, despite the recent temperature rebound. Digging hard frozen soil is a pain in the butt and not advisable.

 

[M. Frary]

impossible to come by,

I've checked. No digging of trees on Federal land.

 

[rockm]

I've checked. No digging of trees on Federal land.

Depends where you are. Western states are vastly easier to get federal permits from the likes of the Bureau of Land Management. Things are tighter east of the Mississippi. Permits can be had, but it takes a lot of legwork and expectations of disappointment.

 

[M. Frary]

Depends where you are. Western states are vastly easier to get federal permits from the likes of the Bureau of Land Management. Things are tighter east of the Mississippi. Permits can be had, but it takes a lot of legwork and expectations of disappointment.

I checked at the National Forest Service office here.
That doesn't include state land,just the National forest.

 

[StoneCloud]

Thanks @rockm and @M. Frary I'll be joining a club shortly, nearest one is over an hour away so working on clearing my schedule to make those meetings. I was hoping for some feedback from our local nutters here in the mean time.

yea I'm sticking to private land if I do any collecting off my property. Don't really have the desire to get permits and go through the jazz. Call me lazy but I'd rather throw a friend or friendly landowner some cash to explore and maybe find something.

Just so many gray areas, and making sure you are within borders I forsee as being a problem...least for me LOL


This winter has been colder than most down here. And for sure there is no way I'm digging through frozen ground! We still have a few nights close to and right below freezing coming up so I was thinking maybe to start in a few weeks.

 

[Giga]

I've found it's almost impossible to collect on state/federal lands. All my collecting has been done on private land or business owned. Usually I just chat the person up and if I feel like I need i'll offer 20-40$. Though most time people say take what you want if you use words like invasive or remove stunted tree's.

 

[StoneCloud]

I've found it's almost impossible to collect on state/federal lands. All my collecting has been done on private land or business owned. Usually I just chat the person up and if I feel like I need i'll offer 20-40$. Though most time people say take what you want if you use words like invasive or remove stunted tree's.

Great approach I've always bought trees, and only recently started really getting into collecting. Most of my focus in bonsai has been on shohin sized trees or smaller, but I'm starting to feel like getting a couple bigger trees on the bench. Preferably collected

 

[Giga]

Great approach I've always bought trees, and only recently started really getting into collecting. Most of my focus in bonsai has been on shohin sized trees or smaller, but I'm starting to feel like getting a couple bigger trees on the bench. Preferably collected

Most my trees have been collected and i take so much more pride in I've been the only person to work on this tree

 

[StoneCloud]

I take so much more pride in I've been the only person to work on this tree

I value this more each day. I have a lot to learn with collecting but have been taking it slow. I don't want dumb casualties

 

[Giga]

Most my trees have been collected and i take so much more pride in I've been the only person to work on this tree

I take so much more pride in "that" I've been the only....stupid auto correct