Taylor Farms is ending its second harvest of white Fringetrees in Warren County. The tree is sought for its medicinal uses.
Lee Taylor, who is also the owner of Taylor Farms and Sun-Money Solar, is working with Barthelemy Vendryes to harvest the bark from the roots of the trees, which he then takes back to France.
“He comes from France and we are looking for white Fringetrees,” said Taylor. “If someone has some Fringetrees and they don’t want them, he will be back this time next year or this time in two years. This is a way to make some money on something you were probably going to remove anyway.”
Vendryes travels to the United States from France every year and his last visit to Warren County was two years ago.
“Our company is looking for Choinanthus virginicus, which is the Latin term for Fringetree,” said Vendryes. “Every year, I come to the United States, but not every year for the same plants. It’s not so easy to find big Fringetrees. Because we are using the bark of the roots, they aren’t so easy to find. We, also, look for Wild Indigo. The Latin name is Baptisia australis.”
Fringetree, known by the scientific name Choinanthus virginicus, can grow nearly anywhere in the continental United States. The roots of the Fringetree are dried and used to treat liver and gallbladder disease in traditional American folk medicine, often in combination with barberry and other herbs containing berberine. Liver-supporting and bile-increasing herbs such as Fringetree are an important part of treatment for Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
Wild Indigo is a perennial plant that belongs to the pea family. It is native to North America. The root of the plant is one of the many parts of the Wild Indigo which is used as an herbal remedy. The root is used in many herbal remedies to treat upper respiratory tract infections and as an immune system enhancer.
The company also harvests poison ivy leaves, which are used in herbal and nutritional treatments, and Witch-hazel shrubs or trees. Witch-hazel leaves and bark are used to produce an astringent. Witch-hazel extract was widely used for medicinal purposes by American Indians and is a component of a variety of commercial healthcare products.
Vendryes’ father started the plant harvesting business for medicinal purposes 25 years ago.
“It takes a lot of time to find the plants,” he said. “It’s always nice to travel and meet interesting people. I spend three weeks in the United States every year. I have been here three weeks. I am leaving tomorrow to return home.”
Anyone with white Fringetrees is asked to contact Taylor, who will be Vendryes’ contact in Warren County, at 931-607-6364.