Non-Wood Forest Products
Among the many buds and blooms of eastern Kentucky, the sharp-eyed visitor to the Daniel Boone National Forest may spot plants more known for their culinary or medicinal value rather than their colorful blooms or sweet smell. Ramps, morel mushrooms, pinecones, ginseng, and even firewood and rocks, all belong to the category of natural resources known as “forest products.” Many of these forest products require a permit to collect; while others, like slippery elm bark or rocks, are never to be removed from the Forest.
By issuing permits to gather forest products or by prohibiting the harvest of certain species, the Daniel Boone National Forest ensures the health, diversity, and productivity of these specific resources for generations to come.
General Forest Product Guidelines
- A permit is required to collect any forest product in bulk or for commercial purposes.
- When gathering forest products, it is important to know if you are on private or public land. Maps are available at Forest Service offices that will help determine where national forest boundaries occur.
- Harvesting forest products without a permit or outside of required harvesting guidelines may be punishable by fine and/or imprisonment. We encourage you to reach out to your local Forest Service Office to clarify your legal responsibilities before harvesting or removing any resource from the Forest.
Ginseng Permit Update
In an effort to increase wild ginseng populations, the Daniel Boone National Forest has suspended the issuance of permits to collect ginseng pending population status improvements. The Forest will not issue ginseng permits in 2025.
Commonly Harvested Forest Product Requirements
Individuals may collect small quantities (approximately one gallon) of fruits and nuts on the Daniel Boone National Forest for personal use without a permit. A permit will be required if these products will be collected in larger quantities or for commercial purposes.
Individuals may collect small quantities (approximately one gallon) of pinecones on the Daniel Boone National Forest for personal use without a permit. A permit will be required if these products will be collected in larger quantities or for commercial purpose
Individuals may collect small quantities (approximately one gallon) of mushrooms on the Daniel Boone National Forest for personal use without a permit. A permit will be required if these products will be collected in larger quantities or for commercial purposes.
To be Used on the Forest – No Permit Required
Individuals camping on the Daniel Boone National Forest may collect firewood without a permit while camping. The wood collected must be dead and down and used for campfires only. No standing trees may be cut - dead or alive - of any size. No wood can be taken home or to private land.
To Be Removed from the Forest – Permit Required
Individuals who wish to collect firewood on the Daniel Boone National Forest to burn at home or on private property must purchase a firewood permit. Firewood may only be collected only in the designated areas provided with the firewood permit. Each firewood permit allows for the collection of up to 400 cubic feet (approximately four full-size pickup truck loads or four cords). The permit is valid for cutting dead and down wood only, unless otherwise specified. Firewood permits are available online or in-person at any District Office.
Individuals who wish to collect any plant species from the Daniel Boone National Forest must purchase a permit ($20 minimum) from the local Forest Service office. Collectors must specify the plants they intend to gather. Typically, each permit for plant collection has a 10-pound limit. The permit is valid for only one district location of the Daniel Boone National Forest. The expiration date may vary by species and by district. These permits are issued for personal, noncommercial use only. The collection of plants without a valid permit is punishable under federal law.
Rock is considered a nonrenewable resource. The collection of rock, including river rock, is prohibited and may be punishable by fine and/or imprisonment.
The taking of any historic or prehistoric artifact from national forest land is strictly prohibited and may be punishable by fine and/or imprisonment. Historic items may include old nails, glassware and household utensils that were once used during early settlement years. Prehistoric items may include arrowheads, pottery and other objects that are centuries old. Any ground or earth disturbing activity is prohibited where historic and prehistoric artifacts may occur.
This activity is prohibited on national forest lands and may be punishable by fine and/or imprisonment.