ForestHarvest - sustainable harvesting guidelines - Text of the Scottish Bulb Collection Code leaflet

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Text of the Scottish Bulb Collection Code leaflet:

The countryside is a working environment. Please be aware of your own safety and follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code. It is an offence to uproot any wild plant without the permission of the landowner, therefore, in accordance with the law and as a matter of courtesy, make sure you receive permission before collecting bulbs.

You can help to maintain the natural environment by respecting these guidelines and only taking what you need.

If you see evidence that other harvesters have not been following these guidelines, please report it to your local Police and ask to speak to the Wildlife Crime Officer.

Bluebells

As well as the native bluebell (Hyacinthoides non scripta), the Spanish bluebell (Hyacinthoides hispanica) is found in Scottish woodlands. The Spanish bluebell inter-breeds easily with the native bluebell and this species and its hybrids (Hyacinthoides x. massartiana) may be gradually replacing our native bluebell. It can be very difficult to tell the difference between these different species, though scientists are currently working on methods to tell them apart. Please be aware that if you do collect bluebell bulbs or seed and plant them elsewhere you may be contributing to the spread of the Spanish and hybrid bluebell. Therefore we ask that at present, you enjoy the bluebells where you find them in the woods and do not collect bulbs or seed. The native bluebell is protected by a special listing on Schedule 8 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act, which makes it illegal to gather them for commercial purposes without a licence from the Scottish Executive.

Please consider the following general points when collecting bulbs.

Where to collect

Please consult with the land manager who will help you to choose a suitable place, where there has been no recent harvesting.

Please avoid areas designated for nature conservation such as Sites of Special Scientific Interest and nature reserves.

How to collect

Bulbs should be collected using hand tools. Carefully take densest clumps of bulbs, replanting the bulblets which will fall as you take the clump out. These bulblets will carry on growing.

Only collect a quarter of what is present so that the bulbs can regrow and so that others can enjoy the flowers in future years.

Please do not collect from the same patch for five years. This will allow time for the remaining bulbs to recover and spread again.

What to collect

Bulbs should be collected after the flowers have died down. In order to be sure of what you will be collecting you will need to visit the place during flowering.

More information

To find out more go back to the main Scottish Bulb Code page.

Image copyright Lorne Gill / Scottish Natural Heritage
The Scottish Bulb Collection Code is available as an A5 leaflet:
	Download the Scottish Bulb Collection Code leaflet (PDF file 182KB)
Copies of the leaflet are available from: Dr Dave Genney Scottish Natural Heritage Great Glen House Leachkin Road Inverness IV3 8NW Tel: 01463 725253 Or click here to email Dave Genney

This code was created by a group representing the interests of conservation organisations, land managers and bulb harvesters and buyers.

The creation of the guidance was funded by Scottish Enterprise, the Forestry Commission, Scottish Natural Heritage and the Scottish Forestry Trust.

logos of the funders of the Scottish Bulb Collection Code: Scottish Natural Heritage, Forestry Commission Scotland, the Scottish Forestry Trust and Scottish Enterprise