Non-timber forest products , or NTFP's, consist of four types of forest products including edibles, specialty wood products, floral greens, and medicinal and dietary supplements. Specialty wood products are produced directly from trees instead of from milled lumber or timber, and include handicrafts, carvings, utensils, and specialty furniture. Edible forest products consist of fruits, nuts, ramps, herbs, mushrooms, and spices. Similar impacts are reported for other goods.
Floral products supplement the incomes of local residents in many southern Appalachian communities.
Some of the most commonly collected floral products include galax, mountain laurel, grape vines, ferns, mosses and other decorative plants. Most of the sheet moss utilized by the floral industry comes from Tennessee and West Virginia. The fastest growing segment of NTFP's is the medicinal and dietary supplements industry. The NTFP industry is relatively unorganized and unregulated. Additional research and discussion is needed and should focus on management of resources, needed regulations to prevent over-harvesting, and the future preferences of consumers.