Moving Bonsai to California

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Happy Holidays BonsaiNut Friends - I am preparing to move from Colorado to California in the coming months and am trying to figure out how to move my bonsai trees? I am reading there are Agri stops along the route and I'm concerned all my trees will be confiscated. I'm not growing cotton, coca, or marijuana so that isnt the concern, just they don't want ANY outdoor grown material.

All my trees are planted in inorganic soil, which is a plus to them, but doesn't sound like that'll be enough. Significantly more frustrating because MOST of my trees have been purchased from vendors and folks in California to begin with, all within the last 6 months.

Might anyone have any suggestions or resources to refer me to besides the ridiculously confusing quarantine instructions on the Cal Dept of Food and Ag website?

Any experience with this out there?

Thanks so much.

Signed, Panicking
 

Sbwood

Seedling
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I moved to California 12 years ago and brought lots of house plant. Basically, I repotted all my plants with new soil. When we got to California there was a checkpoint and the guy asked if I had any plants, I told him I did. He wanted to see them. I opened up the trailer and told him I repotted them all. He said thank you and we went on our way. I would still call and talk to someone things might have changed. Good luck!
 
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Thanks a ton @Sbwood! I will give them a call and see what they say! Look forward to sharing more of my experience with the forum, but if anyone else has any experience here, I'd be most grateful!
 

BrianBay9

Masterpiece
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The California ag stops have a good intent but it's such a loose, hit-or-miss operation that they can't possibly be very effective. Not always open. Don't stop everyone when they are open. Sometimes stop everyone. Usually depend on self-reporting. God knows how they expect that to really be a barrier to new infestations.
 

PaulH

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I'm not condoning bypassing the rules of soviet California.... but ag inspection stations are only on major highway entry points. There are lots of minor streets around them.;)
 
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I would call( email) and ask what the requirements are. Make sure you have a written description of those requirements. Then as you pass through the check point, and questioning starts to be nitty gritty, explain the requirements needed and what you did to meet those requirements listed so you can bring plants into California.

Lastly, where you are headed is important, esp if you will be in an agricultural area.

Good luck
 

AppleBonsai

Shohin
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Yeah... Normally the exact question is "Do you have any backyard fruit or produce?"... I always say "no"- truthfully and then take my carload of trees in no problem... Being doing this for years, but yeah- there is always some risk.... In case... How many trees do you have? If not many- consider getting a phyto cert before you leave in case?
 
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126
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Huntington Beach, CA
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I would call( email) and ask what the requirements are. Make sure you have a written description of those requirements. Then as you pass through the check point, and questioning starts to be nitty gritty, explain the requirements needed and what you did to meet those requirements listed so you can bring plants into California.

Lastly, where you are headed is important, esp if you will be in an agricultural area.

Good luck
Thank you for your reply. I plan to give them a call tomorrow and hope I can get some great information in the coming weeks to report back. I’m headed to Orange County so I don’t think their agri output is near that of other parts of the state.
 
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The California ag stops have a good intent but it's such a loose, hit-or-miss operation that they can't possibly be very effective. Not always open. Don't stop everyone when they are open. Sometimes stop everyone. Usually depend on self-reporting. God knows how they expect that to really be a barrier to new infestations.
Yep, I’ve heard that as well. I’m going to find out the “rules” then decide how to manage it all.
 
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Huntington Beach, CA
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Yeah... Normally the exact question is "Do you have any backyard fruit or produce?"... I always say "no"- truthfully and then take my carload of trees in no problem... Being doing this for years, but yeah- there is always some risk.... In case... How many trees do you have? If not many- consider getting a phyto cert before you leave in case?
Fair. This is encouraging!
I’ve got right around 25 or 30. Certainly enough for the whole bed of a pick up or uhaul! But the uhaul seems to be inviting trouble. I’d like to do all I can to be compliant but trying to figure it out is a little overwhelming, so I’m grateful to hear all your successful experiences.
 
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I found a nice resource for bring plants into California - where even bonsai trees are mentioned: https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/plant/pe/transport_animals_plants.html

I plan to reach out tomorrow for a detailed answer and will report back to the thread with the information I come up with.
I also want to find out more about a photo cert.

Thanks all!
 
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