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Salal (Brocha)

Salal (Gaultheria shallon) is an evergreen shrub native to the Pacific Northwest coast. It is commercially harvested for use in the floral industry. People also harvest the berries as a food source and use the leaves and berries for their medicinal properties. The foliage and berries serve as an important winter food source for wildlife, like deer and elk.

September  

Salal Commercial Use Permit

Salal is the only greenery for which commercial use permits are available

Anyone harvesting salal within the Olympic National Forest must carry a commercial-use permit while picking. 

To purchase a permit, you must be 18 years of age and possess a valid U.S. federal or state issued picture identification.

  • Only one permit is allowed per person.
  • Permits cost $150 and allow harvest of up to 3,000-pounds of salal.
  • Only cash or checks are accepted.
  • Permits are good for two months.
  • Permits are sold four times a year in September, November, January and March.
  • Only 100 permits are available for sale (50 for Hood Canal/Quilcene area, 25 Quinault Area, 25 Forks). A lottery system is used to award permits if demand for exceeds supply.
  • Permits authorize harvesting in the areas noted on the permit.

September 2025 Commercial Salal Permit sales will occur on the following days: 

September 16th: 

  • Forks Office, 437 Tillicum Lane Forks, WA

September 17, 2025: 

  • Quinault Office, 353 South Shore Road, Quinault, WA
  • Quilcene Office, 295142 Highway 101 S., Quilcene, WA

Last updated September 4, 2025