Poles, Transplants, and Specialty Woods

Some of our conifer trees make ideal post and poles because of their resistance to rotting and straight form. Species that are common and can be harvested from in a sustainable manner may be made available for harvest. Douglas-fir, incense cedar, and lodgepole pine are the most commonly harvested species on the forest.

Ecology

Black bear occasionally strip the bark of some of these species and use the exposed sapwood as a food source. Some wildlife feeds on the seeds of these trees and uses smaller trees for cover.

Traditional uses of the various species range from the use of foliage for cold and cough medicines to the use as of branches as brooms, implements, flavorings, sweat lodges, and furniture.

Commercial uses of smaller trees of these species are primary for Christmas, landscaping trees, posts, and poles. Larger trees are used in various timber products and specialty woods.

Collection

A permit must be obtained prior to removing forest products including for personal-use posts and poles. Occasionally, posts and poles may be sold at a commercial scale depending on availability of product and assessment of effects on resources. On the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest, a permit or contract would have to be obtained prior to removing posts and poles.

The assessment of effects and preparation of a permit or contract takes considerable time. If you have an interest in harvesting posts or poles on a commercial scale, you should contact the District Office where you are interested in harvesting a minimum of three months in advance to get information on what prospects (if any) may be available for that season’s harvest.

Whenever transporting wood it is important to remember that moving wood can spread insects and diseases that kill trees. Don’t become an unsuspecting associate in destroying your neighborhood trees or the forest you enjoy recreating in.

Two important diseases that are affecting our local forests in a significant way are Sudden Oak Death (SOD) and Port-Orford-cedar root disease. Become familiar with these disease and the steps you can take to reduce the risk of spreading them through your collection or transport of posts or poles.

As a general rule, it is always important to keep a few points in mind. Be aware of any quarantine areas (such as the SOD quarantine area in Curry County) that by law restrict the movement of materials. Use local wood and avoid transporting wood as much as possible; at a minimum do not move untreated wood outside of its local source (50 miles). Promptly treating poles and posts by removing all bark reduces the risk of maintaining unwanted pests.

Whenever harvesting and using wood a few fire precautions can significantly reduce negative risks to you and others. When harvesting wood, being aware of and following current Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest Fire Precaution Levels and Public Use Restrictions keeps you within your permit conditions and reduces negative risks to everyone. Functioning spark arresters are always a requirement on all power saws. Use of chainsaws requires you to carry fire prevention tools with each saw including an axe, shovel, and fire extinguisher of at least 8 oz. capacity; and, depending on the public use restrictions in effect, it may require a one-hour fire watch after using the saw.

Storing your stacked posts or poles a minimum of thirty feet away from your house helps maintain a defensible space around your home that increases the chance of your house being successfully protected during a wildfire. Find out what other important steps you can take to keep your home Firewise.

Harvesting in only in areas specifies on your permit and cutting allowed material only ensures that the harvest of posts and poles on the Forest is done in a sustainable manner that strikes a balance with multiple needs for forest resources. Cavities, insect infestation, cracks in sapwood, loose bark, rotting heartwood, hollow limbs or trunks are all good signs that a tree may be used by wildlife. Keeping an eye out for wildlife use and leaving trees that have evidence of wildlife use provides a better product for you and helps support a respected balance of our use of posts and poles.

Wood removed under a Posts and Poles permit must be less than six inches in diameter at the large end; otherwise, it must be less than 8 feet in length. Skidding equipment is not allowed under permits and all vehicles must remain on open roads only. Your permit must be validated before transporting wood and a validated load ticket must be attached and visible from the back of every assigned load or portion thereof.

Following low-impact and ecologically sensitive collection techniques will support sustainable management and conservation of the species harvested and help maintain a sustainable and respected harvesting tradition.

Posts and poles permits are sold on a linear-foot basis and are typically available on all Ranger Districts. Please call the District Office where you are interested in harvesting to check for current availability before you head out to obtain a permit. Refer to our Product Price List for current permit costs.

Some of our plant species make beautiful landscaping plants and are ideal because of their local adaptability and relatively lower water and maintenance needs. Species that are common and can be harvested in a sustainable manner may be made available for harvest.

Ecology

Numerous wildlife species feed on the nuts, seeds, sap, foliage, wood, and bark of the wide variety of species that may be used for transplants. Some species use some of these plants directly for cover and nesting or use materials from the plants for nesting.

Traditional uses of the wood and bark of our tree species have a wide range including the use in tanning, smoking meats, snow shoe making, ropes, mats, clothing, wood carvings, tool making, canoes, etc. Many other plants and grasses have been traditional used for a variety of foods, dyes, medicinal, and spiritual purposes.

Commercial uses of smaller trees, plants, and grass transplants are primarily for the growing native landscaping industry either for direct sales or to serve as a source to grow more plants.

Collection

On the Rogue River – Siskiyou National Forest, a permit has to be obtained prior to harvesting or gathering transplants. Transplants are typically sold on a request basis, where the potential permittee locates the trees or plants of interest, and depending on demand and availability of the product and assessment of effects on resources a permit may be issued.

The assessment of effects and preparation of a permit takes considerable time. If you have an interest in harvesting transplants, contact the District Office where you are interested in harvesting a minimum of three months in advance to get information on what prospects (if any) may be available and to give time for an assessment of sites.

Whenever transporting plant material it is important to remember that moving plants can spread insects and diseases that kill trees and plants. Don’t become an unsuspecting associate in destroying your neighborhood trees or nursery stock.

Two important diseases that are affecting our local forests in a significant way are Sudden Oak Death (SOD) and Port-Orford-cedar root disease. Become familiar with these disease and the steps you can take to reduce the risk of spreading them through your collection or transport of transplants.

As a general rule it is always important to keep a few points in mind. Be aware of any quarantine areas (such as the SOD quarantine area in Curry County) that by law restrict the movement of materials. Use local plants and avoid transporting plants as much as possible; at a minimum do not move untreated plants outside of their local source (50 miles). Properly checking plants for disease and insects before harvesting any transplants reduces the risk of transporting and fostering unwanted pests and ensures a better product for you.

Harvesting in open areas only and collecting allowed species only ensures that the harvest of transplants on the Forest is done in a sustainable manner that strikes a balance with competing needs for forest resources. Keeping an eye out for wildlife use and leaving trees that have evidence of wildlife use helps support a respected balance in our use transplants.

Proficiency in species identification is required as is the protection of surrounding species. All vehicles must remain on open roads only. Your permit must be validated before transporting transplants and a validated load ticket must be attached and visible from the back of every assigned load or portion thereof.

Following low-impact /ecologically sensitive collection techniques will support sustainable management and conservation of the species harvested and help maintain a sustainable and respected harvesting tradition.

Transplants are sold by species and height class and are typically available on all Ranger Districts. Please call the District Office where you are interested in harvesting to check for current availability before you head out to obtain a permit. Refer to our Product Price List for current permit costs.

Some of our trees have unique qualities that make them ideal for specialty uses such as for bow making, wood carving, musical instruments, and tool making. Species that are common and can be harvested from in a sustainable manner may be made available for harvest.

Ecology

Numerous wildlife species feed on nuts, seeds, sap and insects of the wide variety of species that are used for specialty woods. Some species use some of these trees directly for cover and nesting or use materials from the plants for nesting.

Traditional uses of the wood and bark of various species have a wide range of uses including the use in tanning, smoking meats, snow shoe making, ropes, mats, clothing, wood carvings, tool making, canoes, etc.

Commercial uses of unique woods include their use in specialty flooring, decorative cabinets, furniture, musical instruments, boats, wood carvings, bowls and novelties.

Collection

On the Rogue River – Siskiyou National Forest a permit has to be obtained prior to harvesting or gathering specialty wood. Specialty wood is typically sold on request basis, where the potential permittee locates the tree or material of interest, and depending on demand and availability of the product and assessment of effects on resources a permit may be issued.

The assessment of effects, appraisal, and preparation of a permit takes considerable time. If you have an interest in harvesting specialty wood, you should contact the District Office where you are interested in harvesting a minimum of three months in advance to get information on what prospects (if any) may be available and to give time for an assessment of the site.

Whenever transporting wood it is important to remember that moving wood can spread insects and diseases that kill trees. Don’t become an unsuspecting associate in destroying your neighborhood trees or the forest you enjoy recreating in.

Two important diseases that are affecting our local forests in a significant way are Sudden Oak Death (SOD) and Port-Orford-cedar root disease. Become familiar with these disease and the steps you can take to reduce the risk of spreading them through your collection or transport of posts or poles.

As a general rule it is always important to keep a few points in mind. Be aware of any quarantine areas (such as the SOD quarantine area in Curry County) that by law restrict the movement of materials. Use local wood and avoid transporting wood as much as possible; at a minimum do not move untreated wood outside of its local source (50 miles). Promptly treating wood by removing all bark and properly drying it reduces the risk of transporting and fostering unwanted pests.

Whenever harvesting and using wood a few fire precautions can significantly reduce negative risks to you and others. When harvesting wood, being aware of and following current Rogue River – Siskiyou National Forest Fire Precaution Levels and Public Use Restrictions keeps you within your permit conditions and reduces negative risks to everyone. Functioning spark arresters are always a requirement on all power saws. Use of chainsaws requires you to carry fire prevention tools with each saw including an axe, shovel, and fire extinguisher of at least 8 oz. capacity; and, depending on the public use restrictions in effect, it may require a one-hour fire watch after using the saw.

Storing wood a minimum of thirty feet away from your house helps maintain a defensible space around your home that increases the chance of your house being successfully protected during a wildfire. Find out what other important steps you can take to keep your home Firewise.

Harvesting in open areas only and cutting allowed material only ensures that the harvest of specialty woods on the Forest is done in a sustainable manner that strikes a balance with competing needs for forest resources. Cavities, insect infestation, cracks in sapwood, loose bark, rotting heartwood, hollow limbs or trunks are all good signs that a tree may be used by wildlife. Keeping an eye out for wildlife use and leaving trees that have evidence of wildlife use provides a better product for you and helps support a respected balance of our use specialty woods.

Wood removed under a specialty wood permit must be less than six inches in diameter at the large end; otherwise, it must be less than 8 feet in length. Skidding equipment is not allowed under permits and all vehicles must remain on open roads only. Your permit must be validated before transporting wood and a validated load ticket must be attached and visible from the back of every assigned load or portion thereof.

Following low-impact /ecologically sensitive collection techniques will support sustainable management and conservation of the species harvested and help maintain a sustainable and respected harvesting tradition.

Specialty wood permits are appraised on an individual basis and are typically available on all Ranger Districts if material of interest is available. Please call the District Office where you are interested in harvesting to check for current availability before you head out to obtain a permit. Refer to our Product Price List for current permit costs.