Wednesday, December 3, 2003

Protection for pine straw buyers and sellers

The Georgia Forestry Commission noted that pinestraw in recent years has become an important product of Georgia’s forests and some landowners can possibly find trespassers robbing them of the mulching material that is in high demand by gardeners, landscapers and others.

Straw theft had become so widespread that in 1989 the General Assembly passed State Bill 88 to protect landowners from becoming victimized.

Pinestraw harvesters are required by the law to have in their possession a Certificate of Harvest giving permission by the landowner to gather and bale pine straw. This law does not apply to persons harvesting straw for home or personal use.

The seller of pine straw is then required to present his certificate to a prospective buyer. The law also requires that the prospective buyer demand to see the certificate prior to a sale.

A new certificate must be obtained annually from each landowner whose pine straw is harvested; all certificates must be signed by both the landowner and harvester.

Certificate of Harvest forms, issued at no charge, are available at all Georgia Forestry Commission offices. Information on pine straw production and other miscellaneous non-timber and forest related topics can be found at www.gfc.state.ga.us/Services/RuralForestry/MiscellaneousForestProducts.cfm.

For more information on forestry assistance visit www.gfc.state.ga.us or call 770-227-5522 or 770-358-1459.

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