Payson Roundup

Wilding permits, which authorize collecting live plants and trees from national forest lands for personal use, will be available starting Friday, Oct. 23 on the Peaks District of the Coconino National Forest.

The forest typically has two wilding seasons — one in the spring and another in the fall, for about a month each while plants are dormant.

This year, permits will be available only for coniferous trees (Douglas fir, white fir, ponderosa pine, pinyon pine and juniper). Due to the severe decline of aspen populations across the forest and lack of natural regeneration, aspen seedlings will not be offered in the permits.

Trees up to 12 feet tall may be dug up, however, for the best chance of successful transplanting, foresters recommend that seedlings selected be much smaller in size — less than 4 feet.

The fee is $1 per foot, with a minimum fee of $20 per permit.

Maps of designated gathering locations, along with transplanting recommendations, are provided.

Permits will be available until Friday, Nov. 20, and are valid for plant collection through Monday, Nov. 23.

To obtain a permit or for additional information, contact the Peaks Ranger Station on north Highway 89 in Flagstaff, at (928) 526-0866.