Shipping trees into California

[justBonsai]

Hello Nutters,

Is it possible to ship bonsai and trees into California and if so how do you do it? I know a lot of people don't ship trees into Cali because regulations with the agriculture and citrus industry.

Is there a way I can ship in trees though without them being seized?

Jeff at the Hidden Gardens has been showing me some cool stuff and I've been eyeing a lot of junipers. Would love to take one back home with me.

Julian

 

[Adair M]

Just curious, why do you need to import junipers to California? There's tons of great junipers already in California!

 

[justBonsai]

Just curious, why do you need to import junipers to California? There's tons of great junipers already in California!

There are a lot of California Junipers but its harder to go on digs. Apparently a lot of clubs used to hold digs and back in the day, with John Naka but in the past few years not so much. You either need to know somebody or have access to private land. And old dig sites and accessible areas won't have much good stuff left.

It just be nice though to bring back a nice rmj or sierra juniper when I head home.

 

[Bonsai Nut]

Many growers have California health certificates.

Others don't think it is worth the bother... so they specifically state they won't ship into the state.

For example. I sometimes order plants from Forest Farm (in Oregon). They will ship pretty much anywhere - including Hawaii. If you think California has restrictive agriculture regulations, try Hawaii!

 

[chicago1980]

Hello Nutters,

Is it possible to ship bonsai and trees into California and if so how do you do it? I know a lot of people don't ship trees into Cali because regulations with the agriculture and citrus industry.

Is there a way I can ship in trees though without them being seized?

Jeff at the Hidden Gardens has been showing me some cool stuff and I've been eyeing a lot of junipers. Would love to take one back home with me.

Julian

Jeff has some great trees.

 

[justBonsai]

Many growers have California health certificates.

Others don't think it is worth the bother... so they specifically state they won't ship into the state.

For example. I sometimes order plants from Forest Farm (in Oregon). They will ship pretty much anywhere - including Hawaii. If you think California has restrictive agriculture regulations, try Hawaii!

So without the certificate you can't legally ship the tree in our state? Say if I boxed it up and brought it as an extra luggage on a plane or shipped it would I run into a conflict?

 

[Bonsai Nut]

So without the certificate you can't legally ship the tree in our state? Say if I boxed it up and brought it as an extra luggage on a plane or shipped it would I run into a conflict?

It differs at the Federal, State, and even County level. Here is the plant quarantine site:

California Plant Quarantine Restrictions

And if you think plant restrictions are confusing, consider restrictions for animals... and insects. For example, there are no restrictions for shipping house crickets, cockroaches, silkworms, fleas, or millipedes

 

[Stickroot]

Uuuuuuuhhhh!
Where is California?
JK!

 

[justBonsai]

It differs at the Federal, State, and even County level. Here is the plant quarantine site:

California Plant Quarantine Restrictions

And if you think plant restrictions are confusing, consider restrictions for animals... and insects. For example, there are no restrictions for shipping house crickets, cockroaches, silkworms, fleas, or millipedes

Argg don't know how to use this information to see if its okay to ship.

Am I supposed to look up the potential pests for a juniper and see if it comes in conflict with the quarantine restrictions?

 

[Bonsai Nut]

Argg don't know how to use this information to see if its okay to ship.

Am I supposed to look up the potential pests for a juniper and see if it comes in conflict with the quarantine restrictions?

I believe there is a phone number at the top of the list for questions.

 

[justBonsai]

I believe there is a phone number at the top of the list for questions.

Couldn't find number

 

[Adair M]

There are a lot of California Junipers but its harder to go on digs. Apparently a lot of clubs used to hold digs and back in the day, with John Naka but in the past few years not so much. You either need to know somebody or have access to private land. And old dig sites and accessible areas won't have much good stuff left.

It just be nice though to bring back a nice rmj or sierra juniper when I head home.

Sierra Juniper make great bonsai, too. And there's zillions of them. But, there are people in California who collect and sell yamadori. You just need to start making connections.

 

[milehigh_7]

I know many states require plants be shipped bare root. Not sure what Cali's restrictions are however.

 

[Stickroot]

I have got a strong feeling that trees are shipped all over the world so fast that they only know about half of them.
I believe it is good to quarantine every plant shipped or received, even treat them for pests and fungus weather they need it or not.
Another big issue we have is the wood industry, just moving the mulch or fire wood is transferring nasties all over earth. It's like everything we do, get caught by the right or wrong person and it's the end of the world.

 

[CasAH]

Rent a van and drive back home. Just do not tie the dog to the bumper.

 

[Bonsai_Jon]

Make a great road trip out of it.

 

[BrianBay9]

Major highways into California have mandatory agricultural inspection stops for all vehicles. If they choose to stop you, if they inspect your vehicle they will confiscate most plant material. I'm told sometimes they let in houseplants or bare rooted plants, or plants in all inorganic soils. Sometimes not. Seems to be an inconsistent, inefficient attempt to stop incoming pests.

 

[Shima]

If you think California has restrictive agriculture regulations, try Hawaii!

Tell me about it! You go to the office and say, "I want to bring in some...NO! I want to ship some ....NO!