Ginseng in Ohio

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Pests and security

Wild-simulated ginseng is susceptible to the same natural vagaries of any other forest-grown plant - drought (or too much moisture!), insects, disease, and pests (rodents, turkey, deer, etc., who like to eat the tops, berries, and/or roots). Fungal infections are primarily a concern in dense patches, but good site selection, air circulation, well-drained soil, and wide spacing are all good preventative measures to reduce the chance of devastating diseases such as Alternaria.

"A certain percentage of mortality is to be expected. The discussion, after all, concerns living plants with long life spans."
David Cooke, Extension Agent in Boone and Lincoln Counties, West Virginia¹

Crop security

"Crop security must be an element of planning from the beginning. "
David Cooke, Extension Agent in Boone and Lincoln Counties, West Virginia

Security is another major concern due to the high value of ginseng roots and the fact that some individuals have found poaching to be easier than putting the effort into growing their own roots. Approaches to dealing with potential theft vary greatly, with some growers promoting strict confidentiality and others practicing openness about their activities.

"The point, after all, is not to see how much "seng" can be planted, but rather how much can be successfully brought into the marketplace. No matter what the agent of destruction, be it disease, insects, rodents, birds, deer, or humans, a plant removed from production is a plant taken from the potential market." David Cooke, Extension Agent in Boone and Lincoln Counties, West Virginia

Whichever approach is preferred, frequent and irregular visits to planting sites and cooperation with neighbors (to encourage "communal watchfulness") are two simple preventive measures that some growers use to deter ginseng poaching.

Taking things a bit further, other growers have resorted to fencing their land, placing motion detectors linked to cameras and/or noise generators, and planting in less-optimal sites where poachers would not anticipate ginseng growing.

Other strategies worth mentioning include distributing plantings widely, posting signs that indicate the activity that you are pursuing, and alerting the county sheriff or other law enforcement officials. While some law enforcement personnel may scoff at the prospect of getting involved with an investigation related to ginseng theft, in some areas they are learning more about the economic impact that poaching can have on growers.

In some national parks in the eastern United States, National Park Service officials are even implanting microchips in roots, and painting roots with an invisible dye that shows up under artificial light. These strategies are more for post-theft identification, rather than deterrence.

1. Cooke, David. Woodland Botanical Crop Security. West Virginia University Extension Service publication. March 2003.