News
Ginseng Diggers Must Abide By W. Va. Laws
By: Associated Press
Posted on:
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) – Forestry officials are reminding ginseng diggers to abide by state laws as the season opens in West Virginia.
The 2015 ginseng season begins Tuesday and runs through Nov. 30.
West Virginia law requires diggers to replant seeds from the parent plant at the site where it was harvested.
Harvesting is limited to plants that are at least 5 years old and have three or more prongs. The Division of Forestry says a 5-year-old ginseng root will have at least four “bud scars.”
Ginseng digging is prohibited on state-owned public lands, including state forests and parks.
March 31 is the deadline for diggers to either sell ginseng to a registered West Virginia dealer or obtain a weight-receipt at a Division of Forestry weigh station.