Forest Products
See menu at left for other passes and permit information
On this page:
Permit Information and Price List
Minimum permit sold is $20 except Christmas trees.
Prices may vary at individual districts.
| Product | Unit of Measure | Price | Remarks |
Transplants: Includes DF, LP, GF, PP, Aspen, Cottonwood, Larch, Hemlock |
Each | $5.00 ($20 min) |
Limited to availability. Scaling required for commercial transplants. |
Transplants: Includes AF, NF, SF, MH. Under 3 feet tall |
Each
|
$10.00
|
Permits are available April 15 - June 15, Sept. 15 - Nov. 15 (these dates are subject to change). Scaling required for commercial transplants. |
Transplants: Shrubs/plants; (5 stems/clump considered one plant). |
Each | $0.50 ($20 min) |
Contact individual Ranger Districts for available species. Scaling required for commercial permits. |
Floral Cuttings/Greens includes Ocean Spray, Oregon Grape, Beargrass. Other species may be available upon request. |
Pound | $0.10 ($20 min) |
Scaling required for commercial permits. |
Christmas Trees: Cut or transplant |
Each | $5.00 | Scaling required for commercial permits.
|
| Boughs (all species) | Ton | $20.00 | Price may vary depending on quality and availability. Contact individual Ranger Districts to determine species and quantity. $35/ton at the Naches Ranger District. |
Firewood: Personal Use |
Cord | $20.00 | For 4 cords. $5 a cord for each additional cord. Limited to 10 cords per person per year. |
| Firewood: Commercial Use | Cord | Appraised | Limited to quantities available. Does not apply on the Naches Ranger District. |
Posts & Poles: 8-foot piece |
Each | $0.25 ($20 min) |
Material is generally less than 5 inches in diameter. Larger material is available on a per CCF (hundred cubic feet) measurement, subject to availability. |
| Cones | Bushel (approx. 8 gallons) |
$0.20 ($20 min) |
Not all species are available on all Districts. |
| Mushrooms: More information below |
|||
Spring Season |
Day | $ 5.00 | April 15 - July 31 |
Fall Season |
Day | $ 10.00 | August 1 - December 31 |
Commercial Use |
Season | $100.00 | Per season, Spring or Fall |
Buyer Permit |
Season | $500.00 | Per season, Spring or Fall |
| Cedar Products | Cord | $20.00 | Price depends on quality and availability. |
| Other Forest Products | |||
| LP = Lodgepole pine | AF = Alpine fir | PP = Ponderosa pine |
| DF = Douglas fir | NF = Noble fir | MH = Mountain Hemlock |
| GF = Grand fir | SF = Silver fir | CCF=hundred cubic feet) |
Transplants
Many native plants and shrubs are popular with both the floral industry and the home gardener. Their colorful vegetation, bright flowers and interesting shapes make them ideal for floral arrangements or transplanting to home landscapes.
Permits to dig up trees, shrubs, and plants from the Wenatchee National Forest are available from each of the six Wenatchee Forest Ranger District offices. Costs vary depending upon species of plant. Generally, though, costs range from $5 to $10 each for trees and about 50 cents each for shrubs and plants. For more information about transplant permits, please contact individual Ranger District offices.
Post and Pole
Depending on size, the uses for posts and poles is as varied as a person can invent or imagine. Pole permits are available from the Entiat, Chelan, Naches, and Lake Wenatchee Ranger District offices of the Wenatchee National Forest (keep in mind that quantities are limited on some Ranger Districts).
Beargrass
Beargrass is an evergreen shrub of the Lily family and not a grass, despite its common name. It is a long-lived plant whose leaves can grow to a length of 36 inches. The stronger, thinner, more pliable center leaves are preferred for both basket making and floral arrangements.
Permits to collect beargrass can be purchased at the Cle Elum and Naches Ranger District offices. The minimum permit purchase price is $20 (200 lbs at 10-cents lb.). Maps of collection areas are also available at the Cle Elum District office. Collection areas are open starting in early to mid-June depending upon weather conditions. For more information contact the Cle Elum Ranger District office at (509) 852-1100 or the Naches Ranger District office at (509) 653-2205.
Mushrooms
PERMITS, REQUIREMENTS & FEES
Personal Free Use Mushroom Permits are required on some ranger districts for individuals to harvest up to 3 gallons of mushrooms per day for personnel use. Harvesting Matsutake (Pine) mushrooms always requires a permit. Following is a list of where Free Use Permits are required:
- Chelan Ranger District – A Free Use Permit is required, pick one up at the District office
- Cle Elum Ranger District – Not required
- Entiat Ranger District – A Free Use Permit is required, pick one up at the District office
- Methow Valley Ranger District – Required only in the Tripod Fire area, pick one up at the District office
- Naches Ranger District – Not required
- Tonasket Ranger District – Required only in the Tripod Fire area, pick one up at the District office
- Wenatchee River Ranger District – A Free Use Permit is recommended, pick one up at the District office
If you harvest over 3 gallons per day of any mushroom species or intend to sell them, you are required to have a Commercial Use Permit
Commercial Permit: If an individual wishes to harvest more than 3 gallons per day of any species mushroom, or intends to sell harvested mushrooms, a commercial permit is required. Harvest of any Matsutake (Pine) mushrooms requires a commercial use permit.
Buyer’s Permit: A permit is required to purchase any species mushrooms on National Forest lands.
Seasons and Fees: The fee for commercial mushroom harvest during spring season, April 15 to July 31, is $5 per consecutive day or $100 for the season. The fee for commercial mushroom harvest during fall season, August 1 to December 31, is $10 per consecutive day or $100 for the season. Consult your local Ranger District office for local restrictions.
Camping: A camping permit is required if you camp while commercially picking mushrooms.
MUSHROOM ETIQUETTE
Due to the delicate life cycle of mushrooms there are a few things you can do to protect the species in your favorite areas. These few steps may help to sustain your mushroom picking pleasure into the future: 1) Pick only two-thirds of the mushrooms you find. Do not collect mushrooms from previously harvested areas; leave the rest for seed (spores) and food for wildlife. 2) Minimize the impacts to the actual fungus by not disturbing the ground habitat. This means do not use rakes, dogs, pigs or other methods to dig mushrooms. Use a knife to cut the mushroom to minimize the impact to the fungus. 3) To maintain the integrity of Late Successional Reserves as outlined in the Northwest Forest Plan, no commercial harvesting of mushrooms will be allowed in any Late Successional Reserve.
KNOW YOUR MUSHROOMS
Each year interest grows in harvesting wild mushrooms from National Forests. Proper identification and determination of whether a mushroom is edible is the responsibility of the picker. Many forest mushroom varieties are poisonous. There are many guide books available to assist with identification. Some forests offer field guides for sale. Your local library, county extension office, and local Mycological Society are good sources of information. Our word to the wise is:
WHEN IN DOUBT... LEAVE IT IN THE WOODS!
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Who needs a commercial permit to pick?
- Anyone who plans to pick more than 3 gallons a day or anyone who intends to sell harvested mushrooms.
Where can I pick mushrooms?
- Once a permit has been purchased, mushrooms may be harvested anywhere in the Wenatchee National Forest unless otherwise restricted (see guide and permit). Commercial mushroom picking is prohibited within National Forest Wilderness areas, Late Successional Reserves, and Research Natural Areas. Each District will have specific information and restrictions.
I bought a permit then decided not to pick. Can I get my money back?
- No. Sorry, permit fees are non-refundable.
Where can I camp while I’m commercially picking mushrooms?
- Camping permits and information are available at each ranger district office.
Other Special Forest Products
Dozens of special forest products are currently in use, and new uses for theses products are being discovered every day. Scientists are finding that traditional uses for some plants are as valid today as they were in ancient times. To ensure a lasting supply of special forest products, remember that some areas/and or certain species of plants are restricted from harvesting. These restrictions ensure the continued availability of forest products from the Wenatchee National Forest. In addition, many plants are considered sensitive, threatened for endangered.
For more information about collecting other forest products (such as cones, evergreen boughs, wildflowers, herbs, nuts and berries, moss, burls, bark, driftwood, rocks, soapstone, precious stones, agates, geodes, and garnets) please contact any Wenatchee National Forest office.
