Park rangers say more than 680 ginseng roots were recovered and many will be replanted

Two suspects caught with hundreds of illegally harvested ginseng roots in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

GATLINBURG, Tenn. (Smokies.LIVE Adventure Center) — Great Smoky Mountains National Park rangers have contacted two separate suspects accused of illegally harvesting ginseng roots inside the park.

According to park officials, one suspect was found with 167 ginseng roots, while another was found with 521 roots weighing about 8 pounds.

Collecting or possessing ginseng in Great Smoky Mountains National Park is illegal. Violations can result in fines of up to $5,000 and/or as much as six months in prison.

Park officials say the quick action by law enforcement rangers allowed many of the undamaged roots to be recovered. The park’s natural resources team plans to replant those roots.

However, long-term data shows only about one-third of replanted ginseng roots survive.

Ginseng is a slow-growing plant that can take seven to 10 years to mature and produce seeds. Some plants can live for more than 75 years.

Wild ginseng is often illegally harvested because of its use in traditional medicine. Park officials say the practice can damage sensitive habitats, remove food sources for wildlife and reduce genetic diversity.

The park encourages consumers to pay attention to where ginseng products come from and choose sustainably grown products rather than those harvested from the wild.

Everything in Great Smoky Mountains National Park — including wildlife, plants and rocks — is protected.

Anyone who suspects illegal harvesting or other poaching in the park can contact Great Smoky Mountains Dispatch at 865-436-1230.

Park officials also thanked Friends of the Smokies for supporting ginseng protection efforts in the park for decades.