Received from:
Dr. Albert "Bud" Mayfield, Forest Entomologist
Florida DACS Division of Forestry
1911 SW 34th Street, Gainesville, FL 32608
Phone: (352) 372-3505 x.119
Fax: (352) 955-3295
E-mail: mayfiea@doacs.state.fl.us

I would like to encourage everyone to participate in the Redbay Seed Collection Program sometime in the next few months. If you know the location of a redbay tree and have a paper bag and a few minutes to spare, participation is easy. Please see the specific instructions and form for participating at the following link:

http://www.fs.fed.us/r8/foresthealth/laurelwilt/seed_collection/seed_collection.shtml

A few things to note in addition to what is listed in the instructions document:

1. As of today, the fruits on redbays here in Gainesville are not quite ripe yet, but should be over the next month or so. When they have turned (or start to turn) from green to dark blue/purple, they can be collected.
2. Try to collect at least 200-300 seeds per tree; more is better. If it’s a small tree with sparse fruit, try to get at least 50-100.
3. DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT send any seeds to us here at Forest Health. All bags and forms should be sent directly to the National Seed Laboratory in Dry Branch, GA as listed on page 2 of the instructions.