Why not take this opportunity to identify and mark locations in your woods of some potential products that you may wish to harvest later in the year? Take a notebook with you to note numbers of plants and species, as well as reminders of other pertinent information. A few small wood stakes and brightly colored plastic flagging can also be invaluable for locating plants later in the year.
Some of the earliest wildflowers have already started to flower. The same is true for several forest shrub species. Harvesting seed from both wild flowers and shrubs can be a lucrative activity for anyone looking for marketing opportunities from their woodlands. A necessary part of the process is finding the areas where the desirable species are abundant, making sure you can return to the right spot to check the progress of seed development, and to harvest when the seed is ripe. Use notes to remind yourself of how many plants you found, plants you need to identify, and markets you intend to pursue. The stakes and flagging are used to mark the spots so you can easily find them again.
For those who want to pursue floriculture markets, early spring buds on tree and shrub species can be very attractive. Wholesale florists seek unusually shaped or brightly colored buds or twigs for use in flower arrangements, wreaths and bouquets. These items can be harvested with hand pruning shears and placed in bundles of 25-50 for shipment and sale. As a reminder, don't harvest these kinds of products until after you have arranged a sale. Twigs, branches and buds must be kept as fresh as possible, as some have a relatively short shelf life. Also, buyers may have special storage and shipping instructions you need to follow.
It is the best season of the year to harvest walking stick stock from the sumac species that are invading your old fields, road sides and open areas. These are best harvested before the end of April, for several reasons. First, the bark can be stripped by hand more easily now than at any other time of year. Second, peeled sticks harvested before their foliage develops will retain their whiteness as they dry (harvested later, the sapwood will turn a yellow color). Third, the ground is soft enough to pull up the tap root intact, giving your canes unique and ready-made handles. Finally, the peeled sticks will dry at the proper rate throughout spring and will be ready to carve or market by the end of summer. It is also an excellent time to cut walking stick stock from saplings of sassafras, ash, hickory, red cedar and walnut. Even if you are going to leave the bark on, the high humidity conditions of spring slow the drying rate and make for a better quality walking stick.
It is the time of year to prepare for harvesting and marketing alternative products from your woodlands later in the year. There are many more good ideas just waiting for you to identify. Good hunting!
- Shelby Jones
consulting forester