Plants found in the wild

[Kittyfang]

I live in a pretty "foresty/wild/farm" area. Recently, I learned to my mother in law gets a lot of her plants from the woods. She'll see a pretty plant, grab her shovel and dig it up and replant it in our backyard. (of course, she'll ask the owner of the woodland area prior... but sometimes it slips her mind or the area belongs to the state/village. I should mention that she doesn't do this in areas marked as wild life reserve. Basically, I'm not trying to start a hot debate on whether or not she should do this or be sent to prison for it hehe ).

I was wondering how many people do this? I know that the woods being my house are just beautiful and have their fare share of lovely plants.

[jessiebella677]

Fortunatly I live on almost 10 acres of wooods. I will stop on the roadside and dig a few. I also live exactly right next to public land so if I were to find something I would think about digginn it up to bring home. I hope it doesnt turn into a hot debate! I can understand why certain people would think it isnt a good idea but I also see it from the other side.
JESSIE

[angmf2233]

here in Pa I believe it is illegal. I have been told by friends not to do this. I am pretty sure all the parks and gamelands its a no no. I believe it is to preserve what we have. Never did it but it has crossed my mind, I have seen what looks like ornamental cherry trees already and there not cheap, but I heard the fine is worse. Every state is probably different. Don't no.

[ok_nurse]

Won't get an argument here-I've cultivated many a beautiful plant from other areas. I did start a debate here when I spoke about my cacti that I got from the RV park I vacationed at (with their approval), because someone informed me that it was against state law to remove native plants across state line, even with the landowner's permission. Oh well-not going to put the plants back now and won't take any again, but I wasn't trying to cause a problem. These are the same plants you can buy at specialty stores and the park managers were destroying many of the plants purposefully to clear the area. They were more than happy to have me take them away. But law is law. I just didn't know. Gotta be careful-of course, state or local parks are always a no-no.

[angmf2233]

Were better off paying 10.99 for that litte plant than $300. Just not worth it. But now that you confessed, I had just got a water plant out of a friends nearby creek, if someone wants to report me! HA HA.

[jessiebella677]

I have found that native plants of my state are also native plants of several states surrounding me. So I guess it would depend too on what is native and what is foreign in your state. I didnt ever move plants over state lines but I have done some roadside gardening! I have wild lupines on my property but up on my hill and close to the road if someone took a few I wouldnt care and probably wouldnt notice. They root out so its not like they wouldnt come back. I wouldnt worry about it if you have done it already but for arguments sake I would say its better to ask the land owner and if going over state lines checking laws is a good idea.

[gone_tropical]

does this 'no-no' count for seeds too? Seeds tend to fall into my pockets at nurseries, gardens, front yards, parking lots, hotel lobbies....

[Pushin-up-Daisies]

I do sometimes get a tiny piece or the plant, But, I confess I do get all the seeds I can from any plant that is loaded with seeds, they are so hard to resist. I know that is probably a sin(called stealing) but when u plant the seeds or swap with someone & everybody plants those seeds how can that be a bad thing?The species lives own all over this great land we call earth.

[jessiebella677]

Ok I have done it too. Not at the nurseries but if there is a potted plant like the city puts out downtown and I see some seed pods on it I have gathered some. They are just going to go to waist anyway. My friends always let me take seeds from their plants so I dont have to sneak them. If you take seeds from a plant on the side of the road I dont htink anything of that. There are several plants on my long country road that I am watching so when they go to seed I can collect!

[Kittyfang]

I never taught about the seeds. It's a wonderful idea, but my knowledge on seeds is not that great. I try to read about their preservation and how to dry them, some you have to freeze, some you don't, some you have to chant to the moon... Lots of information, and lots of people, like us, who love plant, but tend to make it seem more difficult than it really is.

What brought me to write this post is that my mother in law transplanted three Dogwoods (2 Dogwoods and what we later found out might be a Crabapple tree). They grow here like its running out of style. So she went out and got some. It wasn't on a wild life reserve or anything, I don't think.

At any rate, the two Dogwoods died. Apparently, they are very difficult to transplant.

As for me, I wouldn't think twice about transplanting one, unless it's on a reserve or someone property, like in they front yard. I actually have two baby lilac bush that I got from a property on my street. It belongs to someone in my husband's family. The tree had been struck by lightning, so my mother in law asked the person and we went to get some shoots.

I am also thinking of taking a stroll in the woods behind my house now, I have notice some nice flowers growing during the spring. The leaves look like day lily. I'm just weird about walking alone in the woods hehe. So! Here's what I'm dilly dallying about. We are suppose to get a new puppy at the end of the months (husky/pit bull mix). I am waiting till we get him, so I have an excuse to go take a stroll!
We already have a dog right now, but she's a Pug... and way to excited to make it fun to walk with her.

... I think I got taken off subject there.

Transplanting flowers and plants, as long as it's not on a reserve or as long as you have permission, or as long as you don't take the whole thing... Is basically just spreading the beauty!