I’m talking about things that have already fallen to the ground, nothing that needs to be picked or cut in order to remove it. I’m interested in anything from acorns and pine cones to branches and maybe even tree trunks, for use in art or building projects. What about rocks, since they start out on the ground, but aren’t living things?

The wooded areas I’m referring to aren’t associated with anyone’s house, but the property must belong to someone, even if it’s the state. Mostly, these are small wooded areas between roads and creeks, or in between highways and entrance/exit ramps.

Could I get in legal trouble for picking this stuff up? Even if I wouldn’t get in trouble, is it ethical to remove these items?

Are there different rules for different types of areas? What about tree lines at the outer edges of farm land, probably owned by-but clearly not maintained by-the owner of the farm? Or, say, woods behind a shopping mall? What about in a state park?