Big bummer at Wildwood gardens

pootsie

So, even if you ask a government agency for information, and the information that they give you is wrong, and because of the information you lose a lot of money... because the same agency that gave you the wrong information then destroyed the trees you bought based on that information....they aren't liable? At all? They can just tell you any damned thing and it may be right, and it may not, and oh well what the h*ll?

That is not right.

Joanie

It has been many years since it has been legal to import any elm into the US. Importers of bonsai got around that by re-classifying them as zelcovia.
There have been quarantine restrictions on almost all trees use as bonsai for many years. Mostly ignored by the importers and the USDA as well.
The problem was brought upon them by themselves. (the importers)
At one time I was one of the importers. (still am , just not trees ) I was just smart enough to get out of it a few years ago when the restrictions were finally being enforced.
The pre and post quarantine precedes are really nothing new. We have known that they were coming since the 1990's.
If in 1005 you are in trouble with imports then you have screwed up. You just put your head in the sand and hoped it would go away.
Guess I'll get grief over these comments. But they will still be true when the dust settles.
I feel sorry for those that are now in trouble but I can't say that they got a raw deal. They just weren't looking ahead. Pity

Ron, that's a whole different perspective. thank you for that insight!! And perhaps the truth in this case lies somewhere in the middle? They were hoping to get away with one more shipment before enforcement starts...
but they did ask, and got an answer that encouraged them to go ahead. It's hard to blame them for that if the regulations haven't been strongly enforced and every shipment before enforcement would be profitable..... if they hadn't asked it would be different.

Joanie

The enforcement went into effect in the 90's as well.
But I will admit that I don't know the whole story behind this nurseries problem. Not knowing everything maybe I should just shut up. A half truth is as bad as no truth ;o)

"but they did ask, and got an answer that encouraged them to go ahead. It's hard to blame them for that if the regulations haven't been strongly enforced and every shipment before enforcement would be profitable..... if they hadn't asked it would be different."

I guess this has me wondering--why take State official's word about a Federal law? The room for disconnect between the two is enormous. Why not hire a lawyer to determine if the rules are in effect. I guess it's easy for me to second guess, be self-righteous and smug. I have no clue about importing trees. I also didn't lose tens of thousands of dollars. I hope these guys find a way to recover. Tough break.