Great Smoky Mountains: Two Ginseng Poachers Caught in the Park

A reminder worth keeping in mind if you are heading into Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Rangers recently caught two people illegally harvesting wild ginseng, an offense that carries steep financial and criminal penalties.

The facts reported by WLOS and Fox Carolina: one suspect was found with 167 poached ginseng roots. The other had 521 roots weighing eight pounds. Together, nearly 700 plants were pulled from the park illegally. Undamaged roots will be replanted by the park's natural resources team, though only about one-third of transplanted plants are expected to survive. Some of the damage is permanent.

The black market for wild ginseng drives incidents like this one. Wild ginseng can sell for $500 or more per dry pound according to WLOS, with demand fueled in part by traditional medicinal uses. The plant also grows very slowly, taking seven to ten years to reach maturity, and some individuals live longer than 75 years. Large-scale harvesting permanently weakens habitat and strips wildlife of a food source. This is why the plant is protected throughout the park.

The rule is clear and applies to every visitor. Collecting or possessing any plant in the park is illegal. For ginseng specifically, offenders face fines of up to $5,000 and up to six months in jail. Both people arrested here found that out firsthand.

If you spot suspicious activity during your visit, contact Great Smoky Mountains Dispatch at (865) 436-1230.

To plan your trip and learn about the park's protected wildlife and plants, see the Great Smoky Mountains park guide and our wildlife page.