WOODSTOCK — With its rich offering of fruits, mushrooms, nuts and plants, fall is a season made for foraging.

“Foraging during fall provides different things than you’d see in the summer,” said Megan Dellinger, park ranger at Seven Bends State Park, adding that foraging for various items can enhance meals while also connecting the forager to nature.

Popular edibles include pawpaws, persimmons, elderberries, grapes, acorns, walnuts and various types of mushrooms.

"It's important to be respectful of land as well as yourself," she said. "But knowing what you're eating, that's very important because it can be dangerous."

Pawpaws and persimmons

“The pawpaw is huge right now,” said Dellinger, noting that a pawpaw is a versatile fruit that can be used in breads and muffins, jams and preserve

See Full Page