Virginia's Reforestation of Timberlands Program

Improving Productivity of the Land

The Virginia legislature authorized the Reforestation of Timberlands Program (RT) in 1970 as a financial incentive for private landowners to plant pine seedlings. The idea for the program was conceived by far-sighted leaders of forest industry and state government in response to over-harvesting of pine timber.

Funds for the program come from three sources: forest industry, the Commonwealth, and private landowners. The industry pays into the fund through a self-imposed severance tax when pine timber is harvested. This money is matched with General Revenue funds. The Virginia Department of Forestry's field offices located throughout the state run the program.

The accompanying graph shows the stabilizing effect pine reforestation has had on Virginia's pine resource since intensive planting began in the late 1960's. The 3.4 million acres in pine forest, 22 percent of the Commonwealth's total timber resource, is better managed than ever before due to the commitment of landowners to establish pine plantations.

The reduction of timber harvesting on the West Coast is improving opportunities for timber management in the Southeast, including Virginia. As non-industrial private landowners own 76 percent of the Commonwealth's pine resource, a continued commitment of pine reforestation is needed to supply the trees for tomorrow's forest products.

Growing Tomorrow's Forests

Landowners approved for RT incentive payments are motivated to carry out reforestation activities, ensuring well-stocked fast growing pine plantations. Program standards require the following landowner commitment:

Carry out site preparation activities as recommended by the VDOF forester to provide opportunity for uniform planting density.
Apply herbicides as needed to ensure a minimum of 250 seedlings per acre are free from over-topping hardwood brush.
Install and maintain water diversion devices as needed to prevent siltation of surface waters within the project boundary.
Maintain the cost-shared project for a minimum of 10 years.
Comply with the Seed Tree Law and Silvicultural Water Quality Act where applicable.
Complete timber harvesting activities on the potential project area prior to requesting Cost-share assistance.

Program Benefits

Up to 100 acres of cost-share assistance, or as little as one acre per project.
The VDOF offers genetically enhanced pine seedlings which tests reveal are producing 15 percent to 20 percent greater volume growth than wild trees, with compact crowns and stem quality for excellent sawtimber production.
Continuing commitment of the VDOF field forestry staff to protect, and manage the plantation to meet the landowner's objectives.
VDOF offers the service of identifying non-native invasive plant species and recommends control techniques.
VDOF assistance in procuring contractors for site preparation, planting, herbicide applications, thinning, and wildlife habitat enhancement.

Sign Up Now

To qualify for cost-sharing, a forest management plan must be developed through consultation between the landowner and the VDOF. Plans developed by industrial foresters and consultant foresters may be submitted to the VDOF for approval. Get to know your local forester and get involved.

Consider some of the environmental contributions of healthy, protected forests:

Forests are Virginia's natural land cover. They provide opportunity for species diversity and ecological balance essential for the health and welfare of our society. In fact, Virginia lies in one of North America's ecological crossroads. Native plant species abound with 74 species of trees, 55 species of shrubs, 55 species of ferns, grasses and vines, and 114 species of herbs.

Forested watersheds protect soil from eroding through the buildup of rotting vegetative matter on the forest floor, and improvement of soil tilth allowing increased water absorption. One federal agency study cites sediment discharge to rivers and streams from cropland is more than five times the discharge from forestland.

Forests capture carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and release oxygen in the process of photosynthesis. As a result, carbon is locked up or sequestered in wood, roots and decaying vegetation incorporated in the soil. These are important processes because carbon dioxide is a suspected contributor to global warming; and oxygen is necessary for sustenance of animal life.

Last modified: Monday, 23-Jan-2012 16:37:18 EST