Special Forest Products
Special forest products include natural resource products like berries, mushrooms, firewood, and others. Harvesting special forest products is monitored and regulated by our specialists to ensure continued availability & sustainability of the Forest's resources.
Harvest of products may be restricted by:
- quantity
- harvest methods
- location
- how long the permit is valid
- season of use
It is the responsibility of all harvesters on national forests to know, understand, and follow special forest product policies. Please make sure you're well prepared before your harvesting trip.
Special Forest Product Basics
- Harvest is prohibited in: All wildernesses, Tilly Jane Proposed Wilderness, Camp Baldwin area, protection areas, research natural areas, municipal watersheds, heritage or administrative sites, recreation sites, water bodies or wetlands, and riparian areas, unless the product occurs within a road prism open to motor vehicle use.
- Follow all road and area closures. Closures are placed to reduce the spread of forest diseases, protect wildlife and land resources, or to provide for public safety. Vehicles are not allowed on closed roads.
- Do not remove products from the Forest unless you’re certain it’s legal to do so. National Forests don’t always share the same regulations for management of special forest products.
- It is your responsibility to ensure you are on land open for product collection. Mt. Hood National Forest Motor Vehicle Use Maps are available at no charge at district offices or online for download.
- Individual product harvesting techniques must be followed.
- Harvest of any protected species is strictly prohibited. Ensure you know what species you're collecting.
- General Special Forest Products Rules & Guidelines - English
- Reglas y pautas generales para obtener productos forestales especiales - Spanish/Español
- Общие правила и принципы для сбора Специальной лесной продукции - Russian/русский
- ព្ង្ពយ ើជាតិ Mt. Hood វិ ន័យទ ូ យៅ និងយសែក រីចណនំសង្មាប់ការង្បម្ ូ ល ផលិតផលព្ង្ពយ ើពិយសស - Khmer/ខ្មែរ
(To print a Guidelines brochure, check the box that says "booklet" in the print properties window. Print double-sided, flip on short edge.)
- During collection, you're expected to exercise reasonable care in protecting resources from damage.
- Know your species. Do not eat or collect wild plants or mushrooms unless you are certain of the species.
- Know what species are at risk in your area. Never collect threatened, endangered, or sensitive plants or fungi.
- Be opportunistic and harvest from areas that are also disturbed by logging or development.
- Harvest only what you need or can reasonably use.
- Try not to disturb or compact soils.
- Leave the area as you found it. Fill in any holes and step lightly.
- Revisit and monitor the effects of your harvest in an area. Become a steward of that place. Study the plants and how they respond.
- Do not break bushes or trees that will be left. Do not strip the leaves of berry bushes.
- Spread the impacts of your harvest out and leave some behind for wildlife.
- Do not drive off roads, create ruts, or leave trash behind.
Forest Product Permits
On Mt. Hood National Forest, a permit is not always required or even available. This is dependent on several factors including product type, how much product is being collected, and whether it’s for personal use or for commercial purposes.
Permits are required for personal use gathering only for firewood on Mt. Hood National Forest. Permits must be purchased for commercial harvest - meaning products are harvested to sell - for many other products, however. You can fill out the Forest Products Special Request Form to inquire about specific permits.
Forest Products Special Request Form
Other products can be harvested for personal use up to a certain amount without a permit. More information is provided below under "Incidental Use."
Firewood
Firewood season is open April through November each year. Whether you're cutting firewood for personal use or to sell, you are required to have a valid firewood permit.
Bough season opens in November and ends December 31 on Mt. Hood National Forest.
Please contact one of our district offices if interested in purchasing a commercial bough permit. These permits are available by completing our Special Request Form only, pending availability.
Special Forest Product | Cost |
Boughs Noble fir & Other | $0.15 per pound
|
Boughs Douglas-fir | $0.05/pound
|
Please contact one of our district offices if interested in purchasing a commercial decorative wood permit. These permits are available by completing our Special Request Form only, pending availability.
| Special Forest Product | Cost |
Stumps/Root Wads Not to exceed 7 feet in length. | $2 per stump/wad $20 minimum purchase (10 stumps/wads) |
Please contact one of our district offices if interested in purchasing a commercial medicinals permit. These permits are available by completing our Special Request Form only, pending availability.
Special Forest Product | Cost |
Medicinals Includes Oregon grape, Valerian root, Prince's pine, yarrow, etc. | Varies based on plant species. $20 minimum purchase |
Please contact one of our district offices if interested in purchasing a commercial post/pole permit. These permits are available by completing our Special Request Form only, pending availability.
Special Forest Product | Cost |
Poles Not to exceed 30 feet in length and 6-inch butt diameter at 12-inch stump height. | $1.91 per pole $20 minimum purchase (11 poles) |
Round Posts Not to exceed 10 feet in length and 7-inch butt diameter. | $0.50 per round post $20 minimum purchase (40 posts) |
Split Cedar Post & Rails Not to exceed 16 feet in length and 5-inch diameter. | $1 per cedar post $20 minimum purchase (20 posts) |
Please contact one of our district offices if interested in purchasing a commercial seed/dry cone permit. These permits are available by completing our Special Request Form only, pending availability.
Special Forest Product | Cost |
Seed & Dry Cones Quantity of cones in a bushel differs by species. One bushel is equal to eight gallons of a dry product by volume (not by weight). | $0.20 per bushel $20 minimum purchase (100 bushels) |
Please contact one of our district offices if interested in purchasing a commercial specialty pieces/irregular logs permit. These permits are available by completing our Special Request Form only, pending availability.
Special Forest Product | Cost |
Specialty Pieces Douglas-fir & Other | $100 per 7.5-foot piece |
Irregular Logs Douglas-fir & Other | $30 per 7.5-foot piece |
Please contact one of our district offices if interested in purchasing a commercial stems permit. These permits are available by completing our Special Request Form only, pending availability.
Special Forest Product | Cost |
Stems Not to exceed 2 inches in diameter. No length restriction. | $0.11 per stem $20 minimum purchase (181 stems) |
Please contact one of our district offices if interested in purchasing a commercial yew permit. These permits are available by completing our Special Request Form only, pending availability.
Special Forest Product | Cost |
Yew Bow Staves Size should be approximately 2.5 inches x 3 inches x 6.5 feet. | $5 per bow stave $20 minimum purchase (4 bow staves) |
Yew Bark Not to exceed a 6-inch butt diameter. Limited to 1 tree annually. Fee rate depends on green or dry weight respectively. | $0.30 to $1.40 per pound $20 minimum purchase (66 pounds dry to 14 pounds green) |
Incidental Use
Harvesters are not legally required to carry a permit or any other documentation when harvesting up to the maximum amount of incidental use products. However, there are still limitations on where and what kinds of products can be collected and it's the responsibility of harvesters to know this information when harvesting on the Forest.
The Mt. Hood National Forest waived the requirement to obtain a free use permit to forage limited quantities of berries, cuttings, mushrooms, and transplants, and determined that harvesting minimal amounts of these products constitutes "Incidental Use," per Forest Service Handbook. Read the letter signed by the Forest Supervisor here.
Below are the products and amounts that may be harvested under incidental use guidelines. Following these rules, a permit is not required and there is no cost to collect these products. Products gathered under incidental use must be for your own personal use and cannot be sold or exchanged in any form, nor be used to make something to sell.
Berries
You may pick up to 3 gallons of berries each year on Mt. Hood without a permit. Given the cultural significance of gathering berries in the Pacific Northwest, and to protect the resource, it is illegal to harvest more than the incidental use limit and to harvest berries for commercial purposes.
Mushrooms
Mushrooms grow well around Mt. Hood, thanks to the moderate climate and frequent precipitation. Although a permit is only required for commercial harvesters, there are many things to know before you try to hunt for edible mushrooms.
Plant Cuttings
Plant cuttings from the Forest can be harvested to propagate in your own garden at home. Permits are not required for anyone harvesting 20 pounds of cuttings or less a year, but there are best practices for harvesting to ensure future availability of the forest product. Allowable species for cuttings include beargrass, vine maple, huckleberry, rhododendron, salal, Oregon grape, manzanita, and ferns.
Transplants
Harvesting transplants requires digging and disturbing the ground. What can you harvest for your garden? Where? How? Although a permit isn't required for personal use harvest of up to 15 plants a year, it's crucial that you know the rules, regulations, and best practices.
- Berries
- Daily Limit: 1 gallon
- Annual Limit: 3 gallon
Mushrooms
Matsutakes may be harvested, but truffle harvesting is prohibited.
- Daily Limit: 1 gallon
- Annual Limit: 10 gallons
Transplants
Transplants must be under 2 feet tall and harvested within the road prism on open Forest Roads. Transplants can be harvested for up to 10 days per calendar year or until annual limit is reached.
Allowable species include vine maple, huckleberry, rhododendron, salal, Oregon grape, manzanita, ferns, and tree seedlings.- Daily/Annual Limit: 15 plants
Greenery & Cuttings
Greenery & cuttings must be harvested within the road prism on open Forest Roads. Greenery & cuttings can be harvested for up to 10 days per calendar year or until annual limit is reached.
Allowable species include vine maple, huckleberry, rhododendron, salal, Oregon grape, manzanita, and ferns.- Daily/Annual Limit: 20 pounds
- Harvest is prohibited:
- in Tilly Jane Proposed Wilderness, Camp Baldwin area, designated wilderness, protection areas, research natural areas, municipal watersheds, heritage or administrative sites, recreation sites, riparian areas, streams, ponds, reservoirs, lakes, or wetlands unless the product occurs within a road prism open to motor vehicle use.
- along Highways 26, 35, 216 & 224; Forest Road 42 (Skyline Road); Forest Road 50 (Timberline Road); Forest Road 2645 (West Leg Road); and Forest Road 18 (Lolo Pass Road). Visit our Roads Table for more information.
- Follow all road and area closures. Closures are placed to reduce the spread of forest diseases, protect wildlife and land resources, and/or to provide for public safety. Vehicles are not allowed on closed roads.
- It is your responsibility to ensure you are on land open for product collection. Mt. Hood National Forest Motor Vehicle Use Maps are available at no charge at district offices or online for download.
- Products and quantity limits may change from time to time to protect Forest resources. It is the responsibility of the harvester to stay current with updates.
- Individual product harvesting techniques must be followed. Click on each of the incidental use products listed in the above table to learn more.
- Harvest of any sensitive/protected species is strictly prohibited. Ensure you know what species you're collecting. Learn more about the Forest Service's sensitive species management in Oregon & Washington.
Commercial Contracts
Mt. Hood National Forest is not offering commercial forest product contracts at this time, but products are occasionally offered for harvest under commercial contracts.
Please contact a specialist for more information or to be added to the mailing list for commercial contracts: SM.FS.MtHoodSFP@usda.gov
What's different about a commercial contract, compared to a special forest product permit?
- Higher quantities than allowed under permit authorizations
- Allows for multiple collectors under one authorization
- Defined collection area
- Exclusive use of collection area
- More flexibility in contract provisions
- Can be multi-year in length
- Awarded based on competitive bid
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the West Zone/Westside and East Zone/Eastside?
The Mt. Hood West Zone (WZ) includes the Clackamas River Ranger District and Zigzag Ranger District, on the west side of the mountain. The East Zone (EZ) includes the Barlow Ranger District and the Hood River Ranger District, on the east side of the mountain.
- What is a “road prism”?
A road prism is defined as anything between the top of the cut bank to the bottom of the fill slope of an open road. This area includes the ditch line of an open road. Please view the Road Prism Diagram for an illustration. The road must also be considered as open to motor vehicle use. - What is an “open road”?
An open road is a road that is not blocked, gated, signed as closed, bermed, or otherwise restricting access. Open roads can be identified on the most recent Motor Vehicle Use Map. - What is an “LSR”?
LSR stands for Late Successional Reserve, and it is a special management area on the Forest that, in some cases, restricts firewood and other special forest product harvest. The objective of Late-Successional Reserves is to protect and enhance conditions of late successional and old-growth forest ecosystems, which serve as habitat for late-successional and old-growth related species, including the northern spotted owl. Learn more: Late-Successional Reserve and Managed Late-Successional Areas
- How much firewood can I gather?
Your free use firewood permit allows up to 6 cords per household per year, for personal use only. Each cord comes with 2 load tags (1 tag for each ½ cord). It is important to keep your permit and tags organized and in a safe place, since we cannot replace them. If you have already collected your maximum of 6 cords and would like to harvest more, you can inquire about a Commercial Firewood Permit. If you haven’t reached your maximum cords per year, additional load tags are available with your permit for up to the annual limit of 6 cords per household.
- How much does a firewood permit cost?
Free use firewood permits are available at no cost. These permits are for personal use only, which means that wood permitted for “free use” cannot be sold or exchanged.
Commercial use firewood permits are offered based upon availability for $10 per cord, $20 (2 cords) minimum, $300 daily maximum or up to 30 cords per permit.
- What am I required to have with me while cutting firewood?
- Your signed firewood permit and accompanying load tags, valid for the year that you are woodcutting.
- West Zone and/or East Zone Firewood Area Cutting Map.
- Current “Firewood Information” sheet for the area(s) you will be cutting in. Available at District offices, kiosks, or online.
- Items specified on the back of your permit (e.g., spark arrestor screen on chainsaw, shovel, fire extinguisher). Check our website or call one of our district offices for fire precaution levels.
- Vehicle listed on your permit for hauling firewood. Additional vehicles can be added but permittee must be present while woodcutting and hauling.
- Valid identification to show to law enforcement.
- Where can I cut firewood?
Designated cutting areas are identified in the Firewood Information Sheet. Firewood permits purchased at Mt. Hood National Forest offices are only valid on the Mt. Hood National Forest. Your permit does not authorize you to cut on private land, BLM land, Tribal land, county land, state land, or any land ownership other than the Mt. Hood National Forest.
- When is firewood season?
Firewood season on the Mt. Hood National Forest generally starts in April and ends at midnight on November 30 each year. This season can be impacted by fire restrictions. The closed firewood season coincides with winter wildlife range and winter recreation road closures.|
- How much wood is considered a full cord?
1 cord = 128 cubic feet, or about 4 feet x 4 feet x 8 feet. You may also view the Cord Wood Diagram to see examples of how it looks in a truck bed.
Generally, roughly three cords of firewood can heat a small house over a typical winter. This can vary depending on multiple factors. Learn more about the Alliance for Green Heat. - How many tags do I need to attach to my load of wood?
- 2 tags for each cord of wood you are transporting (1 tag = ½ a cord of wood).
- If you are transporting greater than ½ cord of wood (68 cubic feet) but not quite 1 full cord, then you need to attach 2 tags.
- If you are transporting less than ½ cord of wood, you need to attach 1 tag.
- See the Cord Wood Diagram for an illustration.
- Where do I attach my load tag(s)?
You must visibly and securely attach your load tag(s) to the back of your load so that it is clearly visible by a following vehicle.
- I want a friend to come with me and help me cut and load my firewood. Do they need a separate permit?
No. If you are the permit holder and you are present with your permit at the time of cutting and transporting, your friend does not need to have a permit to help you.
- I saw someone cutting on my piece of firewood. What can I do?
The Mt. Hood National Forest does not have a reservation system for firewood. Firewood is gathered on a first come, first served basis. If you are observing suspicious activity, you may report it to your local ranger station. If possible, report the activity with a vehicle description and license plate number.
- What is a “special request form” for firewood and when do I need to use it?
A special request form is used when you have located downed wood that is in an area you are unsure if you can cut in or not, or if it is in an area that is not designated as a firewood cutting area. You may fill out the special request form and turn it in to the Westside or Eastside special forest products coordinator, who will require up to two weeks to review a special request. You will be notified if your request is approved or denied. If it is denied, the reasons for denial will be explained to you.
- How do I know where the prohibited areas for harvest are located on the Forest?
When purchasing a commercial permit at one of our districts offices, you will be provided with one or both of our zone maps. These maps show open and closed areas on the Forest and are required to be on your person when harvesting. Current maps are found on our website at
When harvesting under incidental use, we recommend studying & bringing the following items with you when harvesting:
- Incidental Use Infosheet: Spells out rules, regulations/policies, and recommendations on incidental harvesting.
- Motor Vehicle Use Map: These are free and can be picked up at your local district office or downloaded via the Avenza app.
- Can I harvest some special forest products and then sell them? Can I harvest products so I can make items to sell at a market?
Yes. You must purchase a commercial use permit when harvesting products intended to be sold or exchanged, or to be made into something you're selling. Some products require a "Special Forest Product Request Form,” which may take up to two weeks to be processed. Several products have “commercial” permits available, such as beargrass, salal, forest greens, and mushrooms. When the request process is required, please first find the physical location of the forest product you wish to harvest on the Forest. You must then fill out and turn in the Special Forest Product Request Form to one of our special forest product coordinators, depending on whether you plan to harvest on the eastside zone or the westside zone. The minimum charge for all commercial permits is $20.
- I lost my permit. May I get a replacement?
No, you may not get a replacement of a permit. However, if you haven’t reached your maximum permits/year, or maximum quantity purchased, you can obtain a new permit.
- I have my permit, but I misplaced my tags. May I have replacement tags?
No. If your permit requires tags, and you lose your tags, then your permit is no longer valid. You will need to obtain a new permit and new tags.
- I am hunting and want to collect firewood for my hunting camp. I am camping in a campground and want to collect firewood for my campsite. Do I need a permit?
No. If your hunting camp is on the Mt. Hood National Forest, and you are gathering and transporting the firewood while remaining on National Forest land, you do not need to get a permit. You must only gather what is a reasonable (small) amount of firewood for your campsite. Do not cut and haul more than you need. Any wood left over at the end of your camping trip must be left on site. If you plan to take the firewood off the Forest, you must have a valid and signed firewood permit in your possession and you must tag your load. Signing your permit means you agree to follow the Terms and Conditions.
You must not run a chainsaw within or nearby a developed campground. Do not gather firewood within 300 feet of bodies of water and only gather wood that is already on the ground. Do not cut standing trees, live trees, or within wilderness areas.
- I did not gather all the special forest product (firewood, beargrass, other) that I purchased. Can I get a refund on my permit?
No. All special forest product permits are non-refundable.
- I obtained a special forest product permit. I don’t have time to go out to gather the product this weekend. Can my friend take my permit and go for me?
No. Permits are non-transferable. The person whose name is on the permit must be present during harvest.
A group of us want to go out and collect special forest products. Can I come in and get a group permit?
No. The Mt. Hood National Forest does not issue permits to groups, businesses, or other organizations. A permit must be attached to an individual and requires that individual’s personal information and signature. However, a permit is not needed to harvest minor amounts of certain special forest products for one’s direct personal use and there is no cost for collecting the products. This is considered “incidental use.” A group of individuals can each collect a limited amount together. The following may be collected for incidental use, and may not be sold, exchanged, nor used to make an item to sell:- Berries: 1 gallon per day, up to 3 gallons per person, per year
- Cuttings: 20 pounds of cut greenery per person, per year
- Mushrooms: 1 gallon per day, up to 10 gallons per person, per year
- Transplants: 15 (under 2 feet tall), per person, per yearIf the group intends on selling forest products or collecting quantities beyond the incidental use limit(s), then at least one person in the group must purchase a permit and be present during harvest of the product(s). Please note that harvest of firewood is not included under incidental use. Other special forest products may be harvested under incidental use; we recommend you contact any of our offices for more information prior to harvesting.
- Can I harvest some plants to landscape my yard?
Yes. Transplants and cut greenery can be harvested for personal use and for commercial use. For personal use, plants may be harvested within the incidental use amount and a permit is not required. You may only harvest transplants from within the road prism of Forest roads open to motor vehicle use. Motor Vehicle Use Maps are available for free online or at any of our Ranger District offices. Commercial permits are available for a fee for transplants and cut greenery intended to be sold or exchanged, or if you wish to harvest a quantity beyond the incidental use amount.
- A special forest product I want to harvest is not mentioned on your website. Can I harvest it?
Maybe. First you will need to submit a Special Forest Product Request Form. If the request is approved, you can then purchase a permit and harvest the product. It’s important to note that you must know where this product is located on the Forest; this information is necessary when completing the special request form. You must fill out the Special Forest Product Request Form and turn it in to the Westside or Eastside special forest products coordinator. Please be specific on product name, location, harvest method, and quantity you wish to harvest.
The special forest products coordinator requires up to two weeks to review any special request. You will be notified if your request is approved or denied. If it is denied, the reasons for denial will be explained to you.