HM Wreath - rules for collecting greenery?

Alfietinker

I usually buy a wreath as we haven't got any holly etc in our garden.

Yesterday I noticed there was an embankment next to a footpath choc full of ivy with berries - just waiting to be made into a wreath. A magazine I'm reading says to collect greenery to make own decorations, but what is the law on this? I know it's illegal to collect wild plants but would I be allowed to collect some of this ivy to make my own? Don't want to be reported

Sarahsaver

is it? I thought only if its endangered.
Dad used to have a sign in the boot of his car 'free firewood - help yourself' which came in very useful on the many occasions we saw a large tree had been felled;)

Alfietinker

Sarahsaver wrote:

Dad used to have a sign in the boot of his car 'free firewood - help yourself' which came in very useful on the many occasions we saw a large tree had been felled;)

ROTFL What a good idea! I thought it was illegal to dig any wild plant up - not sure now.....

MATH

I get all of my holly, ivy, mistletoe from the lane hedges and the wood our house backs onto. We all do it, by Dec the place is stripped bare:D I'm always careful not to take endangered plants and to cut rather than pull up. I live in a rural area where it is quite acceptable to forrage where you will providing you don't cause damage. We have a lot of common ground to roam but the best blackberries are found on the squire's land:D

Becles

I took some laurel branches from a bush near here yesterday to make a Julias Caesar headpiece! (dressing up day for Children in Need at school!).

As long as you just take a little bit and don't hack the bushes to death, I can't see there being a problem.

Alfietinker

I'd only need a little bit. The ivy I saw is right on a very busy road where I work. I think perhaps I'll wander out into the countryside at home and see if I can find any there, so people in cars don't get funny! It's ages since I've been walking at home so now I've got an incentive As long as I now know I won't be in trouble. Thank you all

arkonite_babe

I might have found some "official" guidelines on gathering wild plants.

Hang on and I shall edit info in if it turns out to be relevant to the discussion.

Edit:

The link is as follows:
http://www.nhm.ac.uk/hosted_sites/bps/Code%20of%20Conduct.doc

this will open in PDF format, Acrobat reader.

If you don't have Acrobat reader, you can download it for free HERE

I hope these guidelines come in handy in the run up to Christmas for all you crafty people!!

Alfietinker

Thanks - most helpful!

To summarise for others (as I understand it)

It is OK to pick common plants in moderation, but please pay particular attention and take care of adjacent plants and habitats. The main foliage you would be gathering for Christmas such as Holly (Ilex) and Ivy (Helix) are not on the protected species list and should be fine. However only take what you need so that others can enjoy the plants.

Use common sense. If there is only a small ammount of the plant, or if it looks at all unusual it's best to leave it be.

Here I go a gathering among the leaves so green.......

arkonite_babe

I think that about sums it up Alfietinker!!

HOLsale

thanks very much for this helpful thread! i've been wanting to make my own arrangements for years but haven't because i didn't want to get in trouble, being an american expat part of me worries about illegal activities... can't you just imagine me getting deported for picking inappropriate plants :rotfl:

the communal gardens i live in are hoaching with both holly and ivy and even some type of flat branched pine that has berries on it (well if i get to it before the squirrel eats them all!) so this will be fantastic