1. Visual Site Assessment for a Woodland Ginseng Growing Operation
By Bob Beyfuss Cornell Cooperative Extension of Greene County

2. What is this?
A “tool” I developed to help prospective ginseng growers evaluate their woodlands for possibly growing ginseng
It is based on the ecology of wild ginseng as well as some practical considerations for would be growers
Points are awarded for each of 6 different categories, the higher the score, better the chances of success

3. Category A Dominant Tree Species (50% or more of large trees present)
Sugar Maple……………10 points
Big Sugar Maple (diameter over 24 inches) points

4. Old Sugar Maple Groves are often excellent sites

5. White Ash, Butternut, Basswood are worth 8 points

6. Tulip tree and black birch are worth 6 points

7. Oaks and Cherry are worth 5 points

8. Aspen and Hop Hornbeam (ironwood) are worth 3 points

9. Evergreens such as fir and spruce are worth zero

10. Dominant tree species continued
Mixed stands containing some white pine, some hemlock, beech, some black cherry and some red maple plus some sugar maple are worth 5 points
Sites dominated by yellow or white birch are worth only 2 points
Disturbed sites dominated by Norway maple, ailanthus and or boxelder score 2 points

11. Category B Exposure (orientation)
1. North or northeast………5 points
2. East or southeast……….3 points
3. West or southwest……...0 points

12. Category C Slope 1. 10% to 25% …………..5 points
2. Level to 10% points
3. Greater than 25% points

13. Slope
Ginseng will grow on very extreme slopes but unless you are part Billy Goat you will not want to try to work on slopes greater than 25%
Depressions or low spots that might hold water for any length of time should be avoided
Wild ginseng is most often found mid-slope

14. Category D Soil Physical Characteristics
Few stones, 75% plantable……10 points
Moderate, small stones
(50 to 75% plantable)……………8 points
Very Stony, 25% to 50% points
Large rock outcrops, boulders, less than 25% plantable soil………………..3 points
Soil too rocky to stick a pole in….0 points

15. What is “Plantable”?
Walk the site carrying a four foot long pointed stick
Every few steps jam the stick into the ground
If you hit nothing but soil to a depth of six inches, three out of four times, it is 75% plantable.
If you hit soil half the time it is 50% plantable etc.

16. Category E Herbaceous Understory Plants
Reproducing population of healthy wild ginseng is, by far, the best indicator plant
Score 15 points

17. Reproducing populations will have several age categories present

18. Even Sparse populations of wild ginseng are worth 10 points

19. Maidenhair fern and rattlesnake fern are worth 8 points

20. Rattlesnake fern is also called “Shang Pointer”

21. Red or white baneberry are worth 6 points

22. Blue cohosh and Xmas fern are also worth 6 points

23. Bloodroot and Foamflower are worth 5 points

24. All species of trillium score 5 points

25. False Solomon’s Seal and Mayapple score 5 points

26. Sarsaparilla and Lady’s slipper score 3 points

27. Other plants are also commonly found with ginseng

28. Dis-indicator Plants
Ginseng is not usually found in wet spots with skunk cabbage, willows, shrubby dogwoods, alder or false hellebore
Nor is it common in disturbed sites dominated by garlic mustard, exotic honeysuckle, and Japanese barberry

29. Category F security
Very Close to occupied, full time residence of potential grower within easy viewing of residence……………………10 points

30. This site is practically in the grower’s back yard

31. Noisy, outside dog housed nearby adds 5 bonus points

32. They don’t have to be vicious!

33. Security continued
Forested Land within 100 yards of grower’s property, patrolled regularly scores 8 points
Remote woodlot within one quarter mile patrolled regularly scores 3 points
Non-resident grower, weekend visitor scores zero points

34. Results of points scored
40 to 60 points means excellent site
30 t0 40 points means potentially good site
20 to 30 points, marginal site do complete soil test
Less than 20 points means poor site, look elsewhere

35. Presented by