Collecting. With or without permission?

[Leo in N E Illinois]

Is it safe to collect near power lines and or areas where they spray pesticides and herbicide ? Not trying to grow a third nut.

I avoid the power line right of ways during really humid weather, heavy fog and rain. When you hear the lines crackling, and popping, you might not want to be the tallest thing directly underneath the lines. Especially swinging a metal shovel. In dry weather it should be safe. The big transmission lines, they are only what, 40,000 volts? If you see arcing from the wires over the resistors to the towers, get away from there. In dry weather that won't be a problem.

Railroad right of ways are good collecting areas too. Again, difficult to get permission. but rare to get complaints too. Stay at least 10 feet away from the tracks.

The pesticides and herbicides, usually just herbicides for power lines and rail roads. All tend to be 8 hour or less REI. In other words, as long as you don't go in there the same day the herbicide was sprayed, you are not likely to pick up enough on your skin or clothing to be a problem.

Do wear old clothing, was it after collecting in areas that were likely recently sprayed. Wear gloves while poking around in sprayed foliage.

Sunlight breaks down the most commonly used herbicides. The breakdown half life is after a day or two of exposure. There are exceptions, without knowing trade names it is impossible to say with certainty, but in general the most common herbicides are partially broken down by the UV in sunlight over time. If foliage is wet with herbicide, that is a dangerous, do not enter. If foliage is dry, the danger is significantly diminished.

 

[Shogun610]

I avoid the power line right of ways during really humid weather, heavy fog and rain. When you hear the lines crackling, and popping, you might not want to be the tallest thing directly underneath the lines. Especially swinging a metal shovel. In dry weather it should be safe. The big transmission lines, they are only what, 40,000 volts? If you see arcing from the wires over the resistors to the towers, get away from there. In dry weather that won't be a problem.

Railroad right of ways are good collecting areas too. Again, difficult to get permission. but rare to get complaints too. Stay at least 10 feet away from the tracks.

Yikes .. yeah I know a service road where the lines aren’t too close I have for a future scope. And yes railroads have been the tales of lure in Northern PA for collecting Larch , Pitch Pine and Oak. Trains cut down the trees and apparently there are all stunted and can be collected … it is on a list to find but not holding my breath lol. There are spots I have gained access to.. only 2 more months till fall collecting.. then theres spring #@@%%%^^* hurry up spring god damnit… I can lament for days on the Oak I spotted.. it just wasn’t the right time but I can assure you I will be back.

 

[Orion_metalhead]

Bnut, I work for a local gubment agency that includes a utilty. They don't care if you dig up those trees. Trust me. But they would care if you cut any of those pesky wires that might be running under/in the root ball.

Lol. Call for a markout? Then when the utility comes out to mark their lines, tell them thanks and you look forward to removing the unwanted trees under their power lines for free. Two birds with one stone. Lol.

 

[BrianBay9]

Is it safe to collect near power lines and or areas where they spray pesticides and herbicide ? Not trying to grow a third nut.

Yeah, lately I've been collecting near a superfund site.....not sure exactly where the ground contamination actually exists. I do wear rubber gloves and try not to take soil home with me.

 

[Paradox]

I've collected pitch pine seedlings along a dirt road (path really) that runs along railroad tracks. The ones I've collected were in the path itself or right next to it and often they had been run over by trucks going down the dirt path. The land is probably part of the railroad property to allow access to the tracks if necessary.

Figured no one would care much.

We can't collect on state park land here.
Not sure about where the high tension wires are if it would be OK or not but I'd want to check first.

 

[rockm]

I avoid the power line right of ways during really humid weather, heavy fog and rain. When you hear the lines crackling, and popping, you might not want to be the tallest thing directly underneath the lines. Especially swinging a metal shovel. In dry weather it should be safe. The big transmission lines, they are only what, 40,000 volts? If you see arcing from the wires over the resistors to the towers, get away from there. In dry weather that won't be a problem.

Railroad right of ways are good collecting areas too. Again, difficult to get permission. but rare to get complaints too. Stay at least 10 feet away from the tracks.

The pesticides and herbicides, usually just herbicides for power lines and rail roads. All tend to be 8 hour or less REI. In other words, as long as you don't go in there the same day the herbicide was sprayed, you are not likely to pick up enough on your skin or clothing to be a problem.

Do wear old clothing, was it after collecting in areas that were likely recently sprayed. Wear gloves while poking around in sprayed foliage.

Sunlight breaks down the most commonly used herbicides. The breakdown half life is after a day or two of exposure. There are exceptions, without knowing trade names it is impossible to say with certainty, but in general the most common herbicides are partially broken down by the UV in sunlight over time. If foliage is wet with herbicide, that is a dangerous, do not enter. If foliage is dry, the danger is significantly diminished.

Both rights of way under power lines and railroad lines can have substantial buried facilities (pipelines, cable) belonging to other utilities, including gas and telecommunications companies. You hit one of those and you're in for a legal treat...

 

[Bonsai Nut]

I avoid the power line right of ways during really humid weather, heavy fog and rain. When you hear the lines crackling, and popping, you might not want to be the tallest thing directly underneath the lines. Especially swinging a metal shovel. In dry weather it should be safe.

Personally, I like to collect during the rain because it causes less stress on the roots:

 

[rockm]

FWIW, become familiar with the liabilities in your state for cutting telecom and pipeline in Rights of way...Here in Va. you're liable for repair costs (can be over $20,000, There's also some precedence for lawsuits from service customers who have their businesses disrupted by loss of service...Just sayin, ROWs are not really great places to collect...

Underground Utility Damage Prevention Act

law.lis.virginia.gov

 

[Bonsai Nut]

ROWs are not really great places to collect...

...without permission

Different strokes for different folks. We live in a rural area. We don't have city water, sewer, or natural gas. Our electrical, cable and phone landline (does anyone use those anymore?) is all on poles. But I'm most interested in collecting under the Duke Power transmission lines that run from the power generation station five miles from my house, and which run alongside the state park for several miles.

Fortunately I bike with a guy who works for Duke Power at the station, so I'll see what he has to say about it.

 

[rockm]

...without permission

Different strokes for different folks. We live in a rural area. We don't have city water, sewer, or natural gas. Our electrical, cable and phone landline (does anyone use those anymore?) is all on poles. But I'm most interested in collecting under the Duke Power transmission lines that run from the power generation station five miles from my house, and which run alongside the state park for several miles.

Fortunately I bike with a guy who works for Duke Power at the station, so I'll see what he has to say about it.

I grew up in an extremely rural area. Underneath power lines was a fine rifle range, BTW. Another reason I'd steer clear, especially in rural areas, particulalry rural areas in the South...

And I'd bet there are indeed long distance telecommunications lines underneath the power lines and along railroad tracks. Those sites aren't used for LOCAL lines. They are used to cover long distances, they are the Interstates of the system, the lines in your area supplying your house are the surface roads.

 

[Bonsai Nut]

I have a message in to my local "Transmission Asset Protection Specialist" at Duke Power. They are the people who approve roads, landscaping, etc, under the transmission lines. It took me 30 minutes on the phone with Duke Power Customer Service to get two phone numbers, LOL! I'll let you know what they say.

 

[19Mateo83]

I have a message in to my local "Transmission Asset Protection Specialist" at Duke Power. They are the people who approve roads, landscaping, etc, under the transmission lines. It took me 30 minutes on the phone with Duke Power Customer Service to get two phone numbers, LOL! I'll let you know what they say.

I’m curious about this too as we have Duke transmission lines close to me as well.

 

[Shogun610]

Personally, I like to collect during the rain because it causes less stress on the roots:

Ride . The . Lightning. That’s so metal.
Not gonna be bursting any pipes or cutting lines lmao. I’ll be updating my thread for potential material soon enough for permission .

 

[Ohmy222]

So shocked there is so much discussion. Seems like “of course you get permission” is the only answer 99% of the time.

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

Personally, I like to collect during the rain because it causes less stress on the roots:

I think I recognize that intersection, its just west of O'Hare. I certainly have driven up and down Hwy 19, I usually stay off the street in heavy rain like that.

 

[Tele]

So shocked there is so much discussion. Seems like “of course you get permission” is the only answer 99% of the time.

I agree. There is also common sense. Here in Spain there is plenty of land 100% unused because it is rocky. Nothing is planted and nobody will ever walk past. Illegal yes but….

 

[mwar15]

I look at this like drunk driving. Everybody will say they thought everything was fine till something happens. I always ask permission/ get permit. Last think I want it to get a ticket and lose the trees I collected

 

[rockm]

I agree. There is also common sense. Here in Spain there is plenty of land 100% unused because it is rocky. Nothing is planted and nobody will ever walk past. Illegal yes but….

Illegal BUT what ? That's Silly and selfish--it's not yours, it's on someone else's land. Even if they're growing rocks, they're not YOUR rocks...You want rocks, buy your own...

 

[HorseloverFat]

If you ask for permission ENOUGH TIMES in the same areas... Eventually everyone know you and there's not much to tell .. you KNOW which trees the DNR wants you to bother 'tagging" and calling them about (and paying $1.90 per tree ((Wisconsin rules))), or not. The property managers are comfortable that you KNOW the lines.

I always ask permission... REEEAL.easy to get SHOT around here, messing around on land you shouldn't.

As far as public lands... I just don't collect trees that are planted with intent. Always call...

 

[bonsaiDerek]

when you do collect, replant what you take..... follow the principles of yama modoshi

Yamadori & Yama modoshi