Transplants

An abundance of precipitation and a temperate climate creates ideal conditions for lush flora across the Mt. Hood region. Many Forest visitors enjoy harvesting native plants for transplanting to their yards and gardens. Following special forest products policy protects our plant populations and minimizes negative impacts to the local ecosystem. Unless harvesting for commercial use, transplants may only be harvested within the road prism on Forest Roads open to motor vehicle use.

Important Guidelines

• Because transplants require digging/ground disturbance, harvest areas are very limited – that is, only within the road prism of open forest roads – to protect cultural, historical, and natural resources. Check out the road prism diagram for more details on where to harvest transplants.
• It is the responsibility of all harvesters on national forests to know, understand, and follow special forest product policies. Harvesters can enjoy foraging for incidental (free) use special forest products without harming the resource.

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 only. 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. 

It is highly encouraged that harvesters always carry the Incidental Use Infosheet, which spells out rules, policies, and recommendations on incidental harvesting.

If you want to harvest more than the incidental (free) use limits listed in the above table, you can visit a district office to purchase a charge (commercial) use permit. Additional information is listed below.

Charge Use

For those that intend to sell or barter transplants, a commercial (charge) use permit must be purchased. A commercial use permit is also required if harvesters want to collect more than the incidental use limit of 15 plants per year. 

Commercial transplant permits must go through the special request process due to implication of ground disturbance. Please complete our Special Forest Product Request Form for processing. Please contact a specialist for more information: SM.FS.MtHoodSFP@usda.gov

The below table shows the fees, minimum purchase amount, and regulations for different-sized transplants. The Special Forest Products Request Form must be processed and approved before you can purchase a permit at your local ranger station.