American Ginseng Harvesting Is It Legal To Harvest Ginseng Roots

It is illegal to harvest American ginseng roots on most State lands and all National Park Service land. Some U.S. Forest Service National Forests issue harvest permits for wild ginseng while other National Forests prohibit the harvest of ginseng.

Why is harvesting ginseng illegal?

This is per federal law because Texas does not have an approved ginseng protection program. This is because Texas is way outside of the native ginseng range (so you won't find it growing wild) and there is not enough, if any, cultivation to have encouraged the state to seek that status.

How do you harvest ginseng root?

A new federal CITES regulation now puts a 10-year legal harvest age on ginseng roots collected for export.
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Scott Persons in "American Ginseng, Green Gold" suggests you follow these four rules when digging:

Only dig mature plants.
Only dig after the seeds turn dark red.
Dig carefully.
Plant back some of the seeds.

Do you need a permit to harvest ginseng?

A permit is required to harvest wild ginseng on National Forests, and it must be collected during a designated harvest season. ... Each district ranger may further limit ginseng harvests to certain areas of the national forest to allow the plants to regenerate.

What states can you harvest ginseng?

There are 19 states that allow harvesting of wild ginseng for export: Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.

How much can you sell a pound of ginseng for?

Most new growers are attracted by the potential profits, as the prices for mature ginseng roots has been climbing steadily in the last few years. As I write this, prices for quality roots are going for between $300 to $600 per pound.

How much does ginseng go for a pound?

The average price paid for the 2019-20 season was $550 per pound for dry and $160 per pound for green. It takes almost 300 roots to make one pound of dry ginseng.

How do you know when ginseng is ready to harvest?

Ginseng plants can be aged before they are harvested by two simple methods: Count the number of leaves (also known as prongs) a plant has. Count the number of stem scars on the rhizome (also known as root neck) of the plant.

What does ginseng look like in the woods?

Ginseng grows close to the ground and has distinctive leaves that are each made up of five leaflets—two small leaflets closest to the center of the plant flanking three large leaflets. Young plants will usually have three leaves while older plants will have more. ... Ginseng berries are bright red and oblong.

Can you replant ginseng root?

It is best to transplant the rootlets in spring and fall. ... Handle root delicately, taking care not to disturb the root during all transplanting procedures. Plant it in the fall and leave it alone until it comes up in the spring. Ginseng requires 80 percent shade to thrive and prefers a deep rich loamy soil.

Why is ginseng root so expensive?

Why is it so expensive? “The Chinese now have a lot more disposable income,” says Beyfuss. And they have harvested their wild ginseng into near extinction, which gives the American species cachet. ... Already, wild-grown ginseng must be five years old to be legally harvested.

How much does a ginseng license cost?

This license must be in their possession when selling ginseng. Harvester's licenses cost $7.50. Licenses are available through DNR Direct license and permit vendors, online through the website at DNR Direct or by phone toll free @ 1-866-716-6550.

How much does ginseng sell for?

The price of wild ginseng roots has climbed in the last decade. Now domestic buyers pay $500 to $600 per pound compared with about $50 per pound of cultivated roots.

Where can I find ginseng in the woods?

Go to forests that have Beech Trees, Maple Trees, Hickory trees, Oak Trees, Basswood Trees, and Tulip Poplar Trees. Ginseng grows well in the shade of these trees. If you begin to harvest late into the season, you may have more difficulty finding ginseng.

Is it legal to grow ginseng in the US?

It is illegal to harvest American ginseng roots on most State lands and all National Park Service land. Some U.S. Forest Service National Forests issue harvest permits for wild ginseng while other National Forests prohibit the harvest of ginseng.

Are ginseng berries edible?

But you don't have to cook it. You can also eat the root raw. Many people use only the ginseng root for tea, with is purported to relieve stress, maintain stamina, increase focus and boost immunity. ... It's also safe to eat raw berries, which are said to be mildly tart but rather flavorless.

How much is an acre of ginseng worth?

Yields as high as 2,500 pounds of dried root per acre have been reported. Establishment costs for one acre of ginseng beds, under wood lath shade or under polypropylene shade cloth, varies from $20,000 to $30,000 depending upon the current prices of materials needed.

Is ginseng worth a lot of money?

Once your ginseng is mature and ready to harvest, you can make a lot of money. Seed is selling for about $150 a pound. ... So after six years of growing ginseng, your half-acre ginseng garden could be worth over $100,000. Now that's a cash crop worth tending!

Will deer eat ginseng?

Deer and slugs eat ginseng. Minimize diseases by picking well-aerated sites, not planting too densely, not damaging plants, and removing sick plants. Poaching is a big problem in some areas.

Does ginseng come up every year?

American ginseng flowers in late spring to early summer, generally June and July, in its native woodland habitat. It may not blossom every year, and it requires two to four years of growth before the flowers appear.

What is the biggest ginseng root ever found?

The root Mark MacDonald dug up on private property in western Allegany County weighs 1.11 pounds and the main body is more than a foot long. “It's a record for Maryland,” MacDonald said. The largest ginseng listed in Guinness Book of World Records is 2 pounds, but it is a cultivated root, not wild.

When can you start digging ginseng?

Rules to remember: Ginseng harvests

» The harvest season for wild ginseng begins on Sept. 1 and ends Dec. 31 of each year. Wild ginseng cannot be harvested from Jan.