Hello Texas gardeners..Im from Michigan and going on a trip to Arizona..now Texas was the closest State other then California to ask about plants that I can and can not take out of state..we are flying to Vegas and driving to Arizona for a 10 day trip...flying out of Phoenix to go home..any thoughts or laws I have to go by to take plants home?..also are there any places I just have to see when Im there?..weve got some ideas but would love more input...Judy
Plants that are banned
Judy,
To my knowledge, TX does not have the restrictions that many of the western states do regarding plant importation and exportation. With the exception of maybe far west Texas, TX has little climactically in common with Arizona - the central part is plains/prairie like NE or KS but hotter, and eastern TX is heavily forested and receives a lot of rainfall like much of the southeast. The one thing I do know TX does restrict bringing into the state is nut trees - I think chestnuts are allowed in, but walnuts, pecans, etc are not as this is a big nut-producing state, and the integrity and safety of the crop is protected by law.
CA and AZ seem to prohibit lots of things. I am sure there are gardeners in AZ who could help you out.
If I read your post correctly, you're asking what plants you can take out of the state of Arizona. I would think that there would be fewer restrictions on going out than coming in. There may well be endangered natives that should not be collected. Arizona, California and Texas all have restrictions on citrus coming in. The DG membership does include some Arizona gardeners, most of whom would know much more about their state's requirements. You might also use a search engine to find a state agency (Dept. of Agriculture?) that monitors regulations. Have a safe and pleasant trip!
E-mail Roadrunner.
She will know.
YOu can take anything OUT of Arizona that you want, you just can't bring any plants or fresh fruits and vegetables INTO the state with out them being inspected(they confiscate them at the inspection station) All cars must pass thru the inspection station upon entering Arizona and they do open your trunk.
Texas bans citrus trees from other states unless they are certified stock and I don't think Coconut palms are allowed in.
There are many plants in Arizona that are protected - even on private land! I don't know if you were referring to digging anything yourself or buying, but it's always best to not dig from the wild anyway.
Here's the link of protected plants from the Arizona Department of Agriculture
http://agriculture.state.az.us/ESD/protplantlst.htm
Cheryl, I started to mention that, but didn't think she'd be out amongst the rattlesnakes digging cactus, lol. I know they fine you big time if they catch you with barrel cactus or the saguaro(spelling?) cactus. There are nurseries in Phoenix and Tucson that have nursery propagated cactus for sale and they give you a receipt so you can prove where you got them.
If you go get out and walk around, there is a pretty cactus called the chola. It is also called the jumping cactus. It has NASTY thorns, and if you get too close they will "jump" out onto you! They have a sheath around the thorns that stays in your skin even when you pull the thorn out and it will make a bad sore. Ask me how I know, lol.
Judy, if you're going to Tucson, there is a botanical garden that is definitely worth visiting.
Calilily, now you are talking....we are going to tucson at the end of the trip...I think John wants to go to Tombstone near the end and then fly back to Michigan from Phoenix....its going to be 11 days of driving all over the place...im thinking 3 days at least at the Canyon but not sure yet..its so hard to find things out when you dont know anybody whos been there....Judy
I agree with Calalily about the Tucson botanical garden. It's been quite a few years since I was there but I remember it as being quite special.
Juttz, about the plants do like I do.........mail them to yourself.
"eyes"
Great idea...lolol...maybe if I stay in one place long enough I will do that...maybe pack some priority boxes in my suitcases.....why didnt I think of that......Judy
Juttz--just a tidbit.....visited San Francisco w/my husband last fall, and purchased Reinekia Carnea, MOT kalanchoe hybrid, an orchid and a "Frantoio" olive tree from a plant market downtown. Took the whole kaboodle aboard the plane with me, in full view (that tree attracted alot of attention!). We flew home, into TX, and only drew comments f/airline staff about the beauty of the plants!
Who knows.......my husband just KNEW that I was throwing away our money buying plants out of state, thinking they'd ban them at the airport, but nope!
My mother is from Ann Arbor, and when she visits, I always send home a boxfull of plants/cuttings in her suitcase. She's never had a problem.
Have fun!
=) MKJ
How in the heck did you get the tree on the plane?..lolol..I can see it sitting in the middle of the aisle...lololol..Judy
LOL.....It was of seedling size--maybe 3 1/2 feet? I trimmed off the ranging branches, then put it into a big shopping bag w/handles. It did turn quite the number of heads, the top of a tree at my side! We put it into the over head bin, just bending the trunk slightly. Arrived in perfect shape. Needless to say, my husband was shocked no one made me leave my leafy friend behind!
You can take plants as carry-on luggage if they will fit into the overhead bin wihtout spilling dirt, or you can pack them in a box, tape it up and check it as baggage. Just be sure it is not overweight.
I brought a hardy water lily from California to Alaska that way. Messy but, I got away with it. The airline people even helped me carry it off!!
John
Well this has given me alot of good ideas...Im bringing a huge piece of luggage just for things I want to get on this trip....trees I dont think...lolol..but who knows..I did bring back from England a dish rack that was the size of my piece of luggage...I had it laying just right and packed around it...I was amazed it didnt get crushed coming home but its in perfect shape...if there is a will there is a way...lolol....thanks everybody...Judy
http://plants.usda.gov/cgi_bin/topics.cgi?earl=plant_profile.cgi&symbol=EICR Try this web site? not sure if it will help.
Sandy