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MN DNR SFP Guidelines
Special Forest Products Product Specifications, Units of Measure and Harvest Specifications May 2006 Purpose The harvest of non-timber, or Special Forest Products (SFPs) from DNR-administered lands is rising. This document was developed in order to facilitate sustainable SFP harvest and also to provide consistent direction regarding harvest and product specifications and units of measure to relevant DNR staff. This document is not intended as an exhaustive list of the universe of potential SFP, but instead contains information for the most common SFP known to be harvested from DNR-administered forestlands. This document is subject to revision as practices necessary for sustaining individual items become better known. This document is not intended to substitute for a strategic plan. DNR has committed to developing a separate strategic plan to guide harvest and use of SFP on state lands. Issues that will need to be dealt with in a future SFP strategic planning effort include: • Identification of monitoring and research needs. • Gathering of input from stakeholders. • Gathering of additional information on sustainable harvest techniques. • How best to regulate harvest for specific SFP (License vs. permit). What are Special Forest Products (SFPs)? SFPs include many of species of plants, encompassing botanical and medicinal plants (like ginseng, and goldenseal), wild foods (such as mushrooms and berries), decoratives and floral greens (like boughs, spruce tops birch bark and ferns), wild native seeds (for restoration and nursery stock), and some specialty items, such as diamond willow sticks and stem burls from several tree species. Why Should We Pay Attention to SFP Harvesting, Gathering and Management Issues? • Minnesota statute 89:17 allows the Commissioner of Natural Resources to issue permits for harvesting and gathering materials from forest lands under the authority of the Commissioner. • A significant body of knowledge is emerging to guide research, policy, and management of SFPs. • SFP Inventory and monitoring efforts so far have been minimal. • Forming relationships with harvesters will be an asset to managers by increasing the knowledge and skills available for advancing SFP sustainability. • Illegal “poaching” of SFP DNR lands is probably fairly common. While this is currently a minor issue in most locations, it is likely to become larger as demand for SFP grows. In addition to resource sustainability and management issues, the State of Minnesota forfeits potential income from illegal harvesting activity. • Most harvesters make regular observations about the resources they harvest, but usually without recording them. Engaging them in mutually beneficial relationships can help to further develop and refine harvesting guidelines. • Many harvesters will exhibit stewardship attitudes and concern about protecting the resources they harvest, if they are engaged by resource managers in a positive manner. • Third-party Forest Certification standards require attention to SFP management. Page 2: A list of species and taxonomic groups recommended for NO HARVEST on state lands. Pages 3-8: A list of species and taxonomic groups found on state-administered forestlands that have been sold as Special Forest Products and information on sale method(s) and land class(es) where harvest is allowed, product and harvest specifications, harvest recommendations to promote resource sustainability, and prices.
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EXCLUDE FROM HARVEST The herbaceous species and taxonomic groups listed in this table should be excluded from harvest on state lands. DNR staff needing more information on these species or taxonomic groups, contact: Nancy Sather, Division of Ecological Services DNR Central Office, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN 551255 Phone: (651) 259-5136; Email: nancy.sather@dnr.state.mn.us Species or Taxonomic Group Justification Comments Species: Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis) Twinleaf (Jeffersonia diphylla) Taxonomic Groups: Ferns: No harvest of ferns EXCEPT ostrich fern and bracken fern Ladyslippers (Cypripedium spp) Orchids (Orchidacea) Sundews (Drosera spp) On Minnesota Endangered Species List Some individual species of fern on endangered species list. Some individual spp. of ladyslippers on endangered species list. All covered by the Minnesota Wildflower Law. Some individual spp. of orchids on endangered species list. All covered by the Minnesota Wildflower Law. Some individual species of sundews on endangered species list. Species: Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) May apple (Podophyllum peltatum) Trailing arbutus (Epigaea repens) Taxonomic Groups: Pitcher plants (Sarracineaceae) Trilliums (Trillium spp) Minnesota Wildflower Law Species: Blue Cohosh (Caulophyllum Thalictroides) Goldthread (Coptis groenlandica) Pipsissewa (Chimaphilia umbellata) Wild Leek (Allium Tricoccum) Spikenard (Aralia racemosa) Wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens) Squirrel corn (Dicentra Canadensis) Running Ground Pine (Lycopodium clavatum) Partridgeberry (Mitchella repens) Wild Geranium (Geranium maculatum) Taxonomic Groups: Resource Sustainability Concerns 2
Sale Method(s) & Land Class(es) Where Harvest Allowed. SPP: Indicates legal authority to sell via Special Product Permits on Division of Forestry-administered lands. TS: Indicates legal authority to sell via a Timber Sale on Division of Forestry-administered lands and WMAs administered by Division of Wildlife. Registered members of Minnesota Native Tribes are allowed to harvest SFP on DNR lands in the 1837 and 1854 treaty areas under a permit that is to be issued free of charge. Product Name and / Sale Method(s) & Land Class(es) Where Harvest Allowed. Product SpecificationsUnit of Measure Price/ Unit Max Vol/$25Harvest Specifications Bark: Birch / SPP, TS Birch is by far the most common species used for making decorative products from bark. Specify species in permit. Square Feet .10/ Square Ft. 250 Square Ft • Do not issue birch bark harvesting permits for live trees during periods of drought. • Do not allow bark harvest in stands where visual quality is a high priority, or in stands with potential to produce high-quality veneer. • Harvest bark from trees that are planned for harvest in the near future when possible (this is not always possible, and would require communication with the timber permit holder). The outer layer of bark is all that is harvested. Do not damage the inner layer of bark. The thickness of the outer layer is usually not more that 1/8 inch – the inner layer is about 2-3 times thicker than the outer layer of bark. • Bark can often be collected from recently dead and down trees. • Encourage working directly with loggers, collection at timber sale landings on closed sales, or working with small sawmills before they process the logs, as an alternative to live tree harvest. Bark: Other Species / SPP, TS Although typically far less than demand for birch bark, markets do exist for bark from other species. Specify species in permit. Square Feet .10/ Square Ft. 250 Square Ft • Harvest only from dead or down trees. • Encourage working directly with loggers, collection at timber sale landings on closed sales, or working with small sawmills before they process the logs, as an alternative to live tree harvest. Berries and Nuts No permit needed No permit needed. Boughs: Balsam Fir / SPP, TS Foliage of balsam fir, pines and occasionally cedar is collected in autumn by shearing or cutting portions of the branches of live trees (boughs). Boughs are commonly sold to large and small companies, who make decorative wreaths or garland out of them for sale to consumers as Christmas seasonal decorations. Specify species in permit. 1,000 Pounds $1.50/ 1,000 Pounds Permit $30.00 Max Vol on $30.00 Permit: 20,000 lbs. • See Page ????? in the Timber Sale Manual for harvest specifications to include on a permit. Applicable Laws/Regulations • State law requires individuals who buy more than 100 pounds of cut bough/decorative materials in a calendar year to purchase a \"bough buyer’s license.\" The license requires information to be recorded concerning the bough seller’s name and address, written consent for picking, and the government permit number and legal description of the land from which the boughs were obtained. 3
Product Name and / Sale Method(s) &
Land Class(es) Where Harvest Allowed.
Product
Specifications
Unit of
Measure
Price/
Unit
Max
Vol/$25
Harvest Specifications
Boughs: Cedar / SPP, TS Specify species in permit. 1,000 Pounds $3.00/ 1,000 Pounds Permit $30.00 Max Vol $30.00 Permit: 8,000 lbs. • Do not allow cedar bough harvest from deer winter yarding areas. • Consider motorized travel restrictions in wet areas. • Harvest boughs from the bottom 1/3 of the tree. • See Page ????? in the Timber Sale Manual for additional bough harvest specifications to include on a permit. Boughs: Pine / SPP, TS Specify species in permit. 1,000 Pounds $1.50/ 1,000 Pounds Permit $30.00 Max Vol $30.00 Permit: 8,000 lbs. • Harvest boughs from the bottom 1/3 of the tree. • Prune entire branch to root collar, taking care not to damage bark or bole of the tree. • See Page ????? in the Timber Sale Manual for additional bough harvest specifications to include on a permit. Burls / SPP, TS Burls are used to produce specialty furniture or other specialty wood items. Specify species in permit. Piece $25 1 Burl • Burls should only be taken from trees that are being harvested for other purposes. Cones / SPP Cones are collected and used most often for one of two purposes: 1) Unopened cones for seed production and 2) Opened cones for making seasonal and other decorative items. Bushel 1) * 2) ** 1) * 2) ** • *In the case of closed cones for seed production, no permit required if re-selling to the government. • ** In the case of opened cones harvested for decorative markets, consider restricting to non-mechanical methods in order to minimize site damage. Charge $.25/Bu. Maximum volume for a $25 permit: 100 Bu. Conks / SPP, TS Conks can be drawn or painted on by artisans to produce decorative items. Piece .25 100 Pieces • Do not damage live host tree or log. Ferns / SPP Harvest allowed only for Ostrich Fern (Matteuchia Struthiopteris) and Bracken Fern (Pteridium Aquilinum). Ferns are be harvested for two purposes: 1) Edible young stems are called “fiddleheads”, are harvested as they emerge in springtime, and are considered a delicacy in some cultures. 2) Mature ferns can be used for decorative purposes. Bushel $5.00/ Bushel 5 Bushels• Harvest allowed only for Ostrich Fern (Matteuchia Struthiopteris) and Bracken Fern (Pteridium Aquilinum) Photos and descriptions available at: http://www.rook.org/earl/bwca/nature/ferns/matteuccia.htmlAnd: http://www.rook.org/earl/bwca/nature/ferns/pteridiumaqui.html• Do not allow digging of entire fern plants. • Harvest of ferns by cutting above-ground portions of stems is allowed, when consistent with other management objectives of a site. Furniture Pieces / SPP, TS Small diameter pieces of tree stems or vines are used for specialty furniture. Common species used include cedar and pine. Diameter:1 to 4” Length: 1 to 8’ Specify species in permit. Piece .25 100 Pieces • Harvest in areas where precommercial thinning or other forest harvest is planned. 4
Product Name and / Sale Method(s) &
Land Class(es) Where Harvest Allowed.
Product
Specifications
Unit of
Measure
Price/
Unit
Max
Vol/$25
Harvest Specifications
Ginseng / * Ginseng dealers are required to purchase a license. This program is administered by the Division of Ecological Services. Ginseng harvesters need a permit from the Division of Fish and Wildlife to collect on State Wildlife Management Areas. *Ginseng has a unique permitting process under law • Refer to DNR publication “Preserving Wild Ginseng in Minnesota” for permitting and harvest specs: http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/ecological_services/pubs_rarespp.html Highbush Cranberry Highbush cranberry bark is used for medicinal purposes. Stem Piece $.05/ piece 500 pieces • Only harvest stems that are 1-1/2” or larger in diameter at ground level. Leave an approximately 1/2” high stump, to accommodate sprouting. • If ripe seeds are present at harvest, several should be planted (if possible) to aid in regeneration of the plant. • Do not strip bark from live, standing, shrubs. (Stems must be severed to enable the best chance of resprouting.) • Harvest is limited to a maximum of 500 stems per permit. Lycopodium / SPP (Princess Pine or Ground Pine) • Most Lycopodium is gathered in the fall of the year, typically beginning around September. Most ground pine and ground cedar is used for holiday decorative purposes. This time frame also coincides with when the Lycopodium spores are mature and ready for dispersal. Any abrupt and intensive alteration of growing conditions can make it difficult for the survival of any type of existing ground vegetation. According to the leading buyers in the Lake States area, only the mature aerial Lycopodium stems (the 4-6 year old stems that have produced strobili or cones) are considered to be economically valuable. Bushel $5/ Bushel5 Bushels • NO HARVEST of Lycopodim Clavatum (Running Ground Pine). Photo & description available at: http://www.rook.org/earl/bwca/nature/ferns/lycopodclav-WIP.html • The most efficient way to harvest ground pines is to pluck or clip the mature aerial stem near the base of the stem at ground level, leaving the belowground portion of the plant undisturbed. Because it has not yet been determined whether it is less stressful to the plant to have the aerial stem plucked, it is recommended that they be clipped with scissors or sharp hand-held pruners. Harvesting individual mature aerial stems in such a way as to not disturb the underground rhizome may enhance the survival of the plant and may increase or even stimulate belowground rhizomal branching. There is some concern that plucking may impact or disturb the belowground portion of the plant. • To harvest the ground cedar (Lycopodium complanatum), it is easiest to grab hold of a mature stem with strobili, give it a gentle tug, and then gradually loosen the remaining length of rhizome from the layer of the forest floor. The rhizome may be clipped near the base of the mature stem in hand, • leaving some of the remaining plant parts (rhizomes and aerial stems) to regenerate vegetatively. • To ensure future Lycopodium harvest opportunities, take only the mature aerial stems and leave the immature stems for a future harvest. At least two years should be allotted between harvests in the same area to allow for enough time for an increase in vegetative expansion of cover and will provide good insurance for future harvest operations.
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Product Name and / Sale Method(s) &
Land Class(es) Where Harvest Allowed.
Product
Specifications
Unit of
Measure
Price/
Unit
Max
Vol/$25
Harvest Specifications
Mosses / SPP There are numerous varieties of moss. Green moss is a staple in the floral industry. It is used for a variety of purposes in the floral and craft industry. Include common name of moss to be harvested on permit (sphagnum, etc)Bushel $5/ bushel 5 bushels • Large volume sphagnum moss requests to be accommodated in conjunction with commercial peat operations. • Encourage harvest from areas where future disturbance that would damage moss beds (such as road building) will take place. • Volume limit of 5 bushels for permits not associated with commercial peat operations. Mushrooms Mushrooms are fungi. Several varieties of mushroom are edible. No permit needed • No permit required. Oils, Red Cedar / TS Oils can be extracted from cedar wood. They can be used as natural insect repellents and other products. Sell as pulpwood Cords See price list See price list • Harvest entire trees when consistent with management objectives of site. Roots, Spruce / SPP, TS Spruce roots can have strips of bark peeled from them for basket weaving. Roots less than ½ inch in size. Linear foot$.10/Ft 250 ft. • No trees to be harvested solely for roots. • Focus root harvest where disturbance has recently occurred. Seed Seed of any plant or shrub species that is used for sowing or seeding to grow new plants. No permit required • No permit required. Sticks, Twigs or Vines: Alder, Sumac, Dogwood, Redosier Dogwood, Mountain Maple, Pussy Willow, Grape Vines, Bittersweet / SPP, TS Sticks are made into walking sticks or decorative material. Twigs can be used as decorative materials or weaving material for making baskets. Harvested stems may be 2 to 10 feet long. Stems generally less than 3 inches diameter.Piece .05/ Piece 500 pieces • Consider seasonal harvest restrictions in wet areas where motorized travel will be allowed. However, be aware that the ideal season for harvest may be springtime, as the bark strips more easily then. • Consider aesthetics. Sticks: Aspen, Ironwood, Birch, Maple, Oak / SPP, TS Sometimes used as walking sticks or decorative material. Harvested stems may be 2 to 10 feet long. Stems generally less than 3 inches diameter.Piece .25/ Piece 100 Pieces • Only harvest in areas needing precommercial thinning. • Closely monitor harvesters to prevent damage to stand and achieve management objectives. 6
Product Name and / Sale Method(s) &
Land Class(es) Where Harvest Allowed.
Product
Specifications
Unit of
Measure
Price/
Unit
Max
Vol/$25
Harvest Specifications
Sticks: Buckthorn / SPP, TS Buckthorn can be used to make walking sticks and ornamental specialty items. Harvested stems may be any length or diameter. Piece .01/ Piece 2,500 pieces • Encourage harvest in order to assist in control activities Sticks: Diamond Willow / SPP, TS Diamond willow is commonly used for ornate walking sticks. Harvested stems may be 3 to 8 feet long. Piece .25/ Piece 100 Pieces Consider seasonal harvest restrictions in wet areas where motorized travel will be allowed. However, be aware that the ideal season for harvest may be springtime, as the bark strips more easily then. Stumps / TS For previously uprooted stumps only. Piece $10.00 2 • Limit harvest to windthrown trees or those uprooted during landing or road construction. Syrups: Any species. / SPP or Lease on Forestry-Administered Lands Maple most common species due to high sugar content of sap, but any species will work. Tap .25/ tap. 100 taps Must not be inconsistent with timber management. Consider tapping tree species less valuable for timber such as boxelder (recognize, however, that sugar maple sap contains approximately twice as much sugar as many other species). 1. As sugar bushing may affect the quality of sawlog or veneer trees only trees not capable of producing a quality sawlog should be tapped. 2. Trees should not be tapped higher than 4 feet above the ground. 3. One spout is permissible on trees less then 12\", two spouts on trees from 12\"-18\" and not more then three spouts on trees over 18\". 4. In no case will an axe, scribe or knife be used in tapping. 5. All tapping will be done by boring a hole not exceeding ½\" in diameter to a depth not exceeding 2\". If necessary, the holes may be reamed out once during the season with a bit not over 1/8\" larger than the bit used to bore the original hole. 6. A very sharp bit should be used (one that will throw the shavings out of the hole). 7. The holes should be drilled with the direction slightly up so as to drain readily. 8. The spout should fit the hole and not be so much oversize as to cause splitting of the bark or compression of the sapwood when the spout is driven into the hole. 9. Any taps, containers, tubing and any other equipment used for collecting and processing sap shall be removed from trees and from the site annually, after each collection season and upon expiration of the lease/permit. 10. The driving of nails into any tree is prohibited. 12. No trees or wood may be cut as part of this lease/permit except that hazard trees may be removed if removal is authorized by the State. Teepee Poles / SPP, TS Coniferous species including pine spruce and tamarack are most often used for teepee poles. Diameter: .3 to 8”. Length: 10 to 25’ Piece As per price listAs per price list Look for opportunities to accomplish “precommercial” thinnings or other management. Tree Tops: Birch and Other Hardwood Species / SPP, TS Birch (and occasionally other species) tops are used to make artificial trees, furniture and for a variety of decorative products such as specialty frames. .25 to 3 inches in diameter. 2 to 20 feet in length. Piece See price list See price list• Only allow birch or other hardwood species top harvest in areas where timber harvest or precommercial thinning is planned.
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Product Name and / Sale Method(s) &
Land Class(es) Where Harvest Allowed.
Product
Specifications
Unit of
Measure
Price/
Unit
Max
Vol/$25
Harvest Specifications
Tree Tops: Spruce / SPP, TS Spruce tops are most often retailed at landscape retailers and some large grocery and home improvement stores in the Twin Cities area, and in some communities in greater Minnesota as seasonal decorative items around the Christmas holiday season. 18 inches to 4 feet in length. Piece See price list See price list• See Page ????? in the Timber Sale Manual for harvest specifications to include on a permit. Reference Literature: Non-Timber Forest Products and Implications for Forest Managers A collection of articles compiled by: Mike Reichenbach, University of Minnesota Extension Service; John Krantz, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources; and Kathleen Preece, natural resource freelance writer. Balsam Bough, Birch Bark and Lycopodium Careful Harvest Fact Sheets. Fact sheets published with support from the Minnesota Forest Stewardship Program, U.S. Forest Service, University of Minnesota Extension Service, Mickman Bros, Evergreen Industries, and BetterFORESTS Magazine. Assessing the Knowledge about Nontimber Forest Products Management Impacts on Biodiversity in Four Different Ecoregions Conducted by Dr. Eric T. Jones, Dr. Kathryn A. Lynch and Dr. Rebecca J. McLain, Institute for Culture and Ecology Portland, Oregon. Income Opportunities in Special Forest Products - Self-Help Suggestions for Rural Entrepreneurs. USDA Forest Service Agriculture Information Bulletin 666 8
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