Frequently Asked Questions
State Forests, Tree Health, Tree Care, Forest Products
- A tree in my yard has a disease or is infested with insects - what should I do?
- I appear to have valuable trees on my property. How do I sell them?
- Does the Department of Forestry pay landowners to plant trees?
- Does the Department of Forestry have maps of forestland in Virginia?
- When is the best time to prune a tree?
- Can I hunt on a state forest?
- Can Smokey Bear visit my school?
- What forest products can I grow and sell instead of my trees?
- What was the first State Forest established East of Richmond?
A tree in my yard has a disease or is infested
with insects - what should I do?
Contact your local county Extension
Agent for advice and recommendations on indivdual yard trees.
I appear to have valuable trees on my property.
How do I sell them?
Before making a decision to sell trees on your property, consider your goals
for your property and whether or not selling the trees meets that goal. If
income is desired, ensure that the trees have sufficient size, quality and
number to be valuable. Your County Forester or a private Consultant Forester
can "cruise" your timber (trees) to determine the value. A consultant
forester can also help you negotiate a contract with a logger. For more information,
visit How To Sell Timber, contact
your County Forester or a Consultant
Forester.
Does the Department of Forestry pay landowners
to plant trees?
Conservation Incentive Programs provide you with cost share payments from the
state or federal government to help pay for environmental improvements, such
as increasing wildlife habitat. A complete
list of programs is available. A conservation
easement can give you a tax break if you agree not to develop your land.
Does the Department of Forestry have maps
of forestland in Virginia?
You can create customized maps using the Forest Resource Information Mapper
(ForestRIM). Visit http://www.forestrim.org/ to
get started.
When is the best time to prune a tree?
Dead branches can and should be removed
at any time. A tree's dormant season, late fall or winter, is the best
time to prune. Pruning during the dormant period minimizes sap loss and subsequent
stress to the tree. It also minimizes the risk of fungus infection or insect
infestation, since both fungi and insects are likely to be dormant at the same
time as the tree. Finally, in the case of deciduous trees, pruning when the
leaves are off will give you a better idea of how your pruning will affect
the shape of the tree.
Can I hunt on a state forest?
Hunting is permitted on some state forests.Visit
our hunting page for more information.
Lease land for hunting - if you or your hunt club is looking for land to hunt on, contact the local game warden or Department of Game and Inland Fisheries biologist. VDOF does not have this information.
Hunting is only permitted on these state forests
- Appomattox-Buckingham State Forest
- Browne State Forest
- Cumberland State Forest
- Matthews State Forest
- Prince Edward-Gallion State Forest
- Sandy Point State Forest
Can Smokey Bear visit my school?
Smokey Bear has been the U.S. Forest Service icon of fire prevention for more
than sixty years. State agencies such as the Virginia Department of Forestry
also use Smokey to encourage fire safety. To arrange for Smokey to come to
your school, parade or event, contact your County
Forester.
What forest products can I grow and sell
instead of my trees?
If you have trees on your land, you can make money from your woods without
selling all your trees. Your woodlot has resources such as firewood, plants,
and holiday greenery that you can sell. You can also create a financial income
by selling hunting rights on your land. Learn more
about forest products online.
What was the first State Forest established
East of Richmond?
Zoar State Forest.
Tree Questions
- White Oaks - how old does a white oak have to be to first produce acorns? According to the silvics manual, they will produce sometime between 20 - 40 years depending on the amount of sunlight and competition they have. Generally closer to the 20 year range.
- How do I stop the production of the gum balls fruits from the red gum tree? I assume you're referring to the Sweet Gum tree that turns a beautiful red in the early fall. The balls are hard and poky and very prolific. This tree is native to Virginia and very abundant. There is no way to stop the production of the gumball fruits. You might just mulch the ground underneath it so you don't have to mow that area. There is a variety that is fruitless, with round tips to the leaves rather than the pointed ones. In the nursery this will be called Sweet Gum 'Rotundiloba'.
Last modified: Monday, 10-Mar-2008 19:52:25 UTC