Spring Harvesting of Galax to be Restricted

ASHEVILLE, N.C.-- In response to concerns raised by some galax wholesalers, the USDA Forest Service will be restricting the harvest of galax during the spring growth period from May 1 through June 15, 2001.

New galax leaves sprout and put on new growth generally beginning in late April through June. The leaves during this time are tender and sensitive and of lower value due to smaller size and ease of damage in shipping. In addition, trampling of the tender leaves by harvesters walking through the galax beds during this sensitive time could be causing additional damage to unharvested leaves.

Galax buyers have raised concerns that gathering galax at this time of year is damaging their industry by removing less than mature leaves before they reach optimum value (picking the apples before they are ripe) and may be damaging the galax beds. Paul Bradley is the District Ranger on the Appalachian Ranger District, which includes the South Toe River Valley, heart of the regions galax industry. Bradley said, “The galax industry is part of the culture in this region. The growth of the galax industry in recent years has been good for the local economy, but has raised concerns within the industry and the Forest Service for insuring the long term sustainability of galax.”

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Forest Service botanists concur that galax leaves are more susceptible to damage during the first few weeks of growth and that harvesting during the spring growing season could be doing some damage to the galax beds. Galax occurs over a wide range of elevations and leaves mature earlier at lower elevations. After considering these factors, the Forest Service concluded that a restriction beginning the first of May through June 15 would help protect galax products in a wide range of elevations.

The harvesting of galax will not be allowed on the Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests during the spring growing season from May 1 to June 15. All permits sold after April 1 will expire April 30, 2001. Districts will not sell permits for harvesting galax until the end of the spring restriction period on June 15. John Ramey, Forest Supervisor, said, “ We recognize the importance of galax and other forest products to the communities of our area. This restriction will not reduce the overall availability of galax to the industry – the galax not harvested during the spring restriction period will be there for harvest in late June and for the rest of the summer. And, they will be healthier and more valuable with the extra growing time.”

The Forest Service is also working on other initiatives to insure the sustainability of galax and other products harvested in the National Forests. Brochures and other educational materials are being developed to raise public awareness of ways to protect forest resources and insure the long-term sustainability of products harvested within National Forests. Researchers also have established survey plots within the Nantahala and Pisgah National Forest to monitor long-term trends of many of these products.

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