AusBonsai

Just wondering about collecting from the bush, what's acceptable and what's not.

I live right on the Royal National Park, (in the Sutherland area south of Sydney), and would love to go and nab a shrub or stump or sapling now and then, but sadly I gather this is a big no-no. There's something far more appealing to me about turning up some old stump, a buried treasure in the bush, than buying a plant from a nursery.

Does anyone know of anywhere where this is allowed? Or are there any species that you are allowed to take? For example, Bush Care people are often getting rid of lantanas and privetts- are they are free for all?

Any tips (that won't land me with a fine) would be much appreciated,
Thanks
Ben

Hello Ben,

I have been collecting from nature reserves and national parks lately, however I only take trees from under power lines where they get mowed down regularly
and are doomed to a terrible life of constant torture, so I figure I am doing the natives a favour and rescuing them. Its still not legal but this is how I justify my actions.

Good luck

Steve W

Gday guys,
Collecting anything without permission from national parks is a no-no. I believe that the relevant authorities do run weed eradication programmes and I know of one bonsai group being granted permission to dig noxious species in a national park in Victoria. The biggest problem is that soil disturbance can open up the possibility for pathogens to enter the soil. Unfortunately this has happened to Australia's most famous threatened species, the wollemi pine. In its wild population, authorities believe that unauthorised individuals have made their way into the site, and brought in phytopthera on the soles of their shoes which has now infected at least one of the stands of trees.

Along with this, soil disturbance also gives weeds the perfect environment for germination. This can lead to infestation.

Digging native species under powerlines is not good at all. These areas are kept trimmed back, but plants are not removed since it can still be used by animals for cover. If we strip these areas completely, it would become a road which some species would not be able to ever cross.. This effectively 'locks' them in and restricts their habitat.

So, although it may seem you are doing a good deed by removing pest species in national parks, without permission, it can lead to bigger management problems for authorities and also threaten our last remaining wild habitat for native flora and fauna.

Get permission, dig on private land, search nurseries, grow your own... There are plenty of opportunities out there without the need to raid our protected areas.. We'd all love to do it, but we dont.

Webos

I agree with webos.
Our natives are protected and unless you can get permission then Don't.

Go to the Forestry Commission nurseries ( http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/forests/busin ... /nurseries ) for Native stock and plant out to grow on.

Ken

Okay, thanks guys, that's all good advice.

What about on the side of the road or in gutters etc-- would that be something you'd get council approval for?

Thanks Fellas,

Now I fel terrible. Jokes aside you do raise some very important points that I had not considered. Fortunately I have only just started and have only removed 8 small plants spread over a large area. From now on I will look elsewhere for my raw material.


Cheers

Steve W

In QLD, there are some permits that can be obtained for collecting natives in State forests and private land. You need to get the signature of the land holder/manager which I found difficult in doing for the State forest I was trying. Gave up in the end.

AG