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Welcome to the Virginia Department Of Forestry

Virginia's Seedling Nurseries

Tree seedlings are available from the Virginia Department of Forestry (VDOF), which grows tree and shrub seedlings for use on private, public and industry lands. Pine and hardwood seedlings are planted, visually inspected, harvested, hand-graded, labeled, and packaged for delivery.

Order tree seedlings:

These seedlings can be used to establish timber stands, pulpwood crops, Christmas tree plantations, wildlife habitats, streambank stabilization, urban forests, biodiversity and improvement of watersheds. The VDOF grows seedlings as mandated by the Code of Virginia.

The forestry centers are self-supporting through their tree seedling sales. Our employees are dedicated to producing the highest quality seedlings available.

Portions of the land and the physical facilities at the nurseries are used to educate and inform the public and for research by state and private universities. The offices and quarters are used by university students and faculty for field trips. Established nature trails supplement school curriculum for students to study nature.

In addition to research and education, New Kent Forestry Center conducts a series of ten special deer hunts yearly for handicapped sportsmen. Local communities, businesses and civic groups support these activities with volunteers, equipment and supplies.

Native Trees of Virginia

The most common native tree species found in Virginia's forests are described in this handsome 120-page book.The most common native tree species found in Virginia's forests are described in this handsome, 5.5 x 8.5", 120-page book. This tool for tree identification uses non-technical descriptions, with images of leaves, twigs, flowers and/or fruit to aid in identification.

Purchase your copy online through our Web Store or pay by check when you order by mail.

Work Camper Program

Other Projects

Augusta Forestry Center

The center is located in Augusta County on 178 acres adjacent to the South River. More than 40 species of Virginia hardwoods and softwoods are grown in seedbeds covering 100 acres. Find the Augusta Forestry Center online.

This center handles the Department's "quick delivery" program, which offers tree seedlings, conservation specialty packs and conservation seed mixtures.

Forestry Center Contact Information

Garland Gray Forestry Center

The center is located next to the Nottoway River, which provides irrigation for 80 acres of loblolly pine seed beds. The sandy soils at this nursery are ideal for pine seedling production. Find the Garland Gray Forestry Center online.

Loblolly pine seedlings produced here are the result of rigorous Tree Improvement Program (TIP) testing and are proven high performers for Virginia conditions. A 213-acre tree seedling nursery was established within the boundaries of the Garland Gray Forestry Center in 1984.

Garland Gray Forestry Center has state-of-the-art harvesting equipment and a first-class grading, packaging, and cold storage facility for preparing the loblolly tree seedlings for shipment.

Forestry Center Contact Information

Research

Landowners who purchase loblolly trees receive second-generation, genetically improved seedlings. In the field, loblollies are top-clipped to produce a shorter seedling with a better balance between tops and roots. The benefits of this top-clipping include better survival of the seedlings and increased uniformity in size for ease in field planting and harvesting.

Each step of tree seedling production, from soil management practices to irrigation, fertilization, fumigation, harvesting, and storage, is based on VDOF research. This ongoing research for tree improvement ensures that landowners will receive Virginia seedlings with genetic qualities proven for superior growth and tree form.

Reforestation

The VDOF has professional staff covering every county of Virginia to offer assistance to individual landowners and companies. We can provide information on reforestation, land stewardship and management and conservation programs.

Virginia landowners who plant "Virginia Trees for Virginia Forests" become partners to provide "A Forest Resource to Meet the Needs of the Commonwealth." VDOF's investment in premium-quality seedling production means landowners who plant VDOF seedlings in reforestation areas will have high returns on their investment in Virginia trees.

History of the Forestry Nurseries

In 1916, the VDOF established its first nursery at the University of Virginia's Lambeth Field. By 1939, VDOF was producing a million seedlings annually, a number that has grown to nearly 50 million today. Our forestry centers cover more than 1,200 acres, and are in full-scale production to grow nearly 50 different species of seedlings for use by private and public landowners.

The cultural practices used to grow seedlings suited to Virginia soils and climate are based on more than 30 years of research and experience in quality production.

Seedling Nursery Mandates

This activity is mandated by Title 10.1 - 1114 of the Code of Virginia."Establishment of nurseries; distribution of seeds and seedlings. - The State Forester may establish and maintain a nursery or nurseries for the propagation of forest tree seedlings, either upon one or more of the forest reservations of the Commonwealth, or upon such other land as he may and which he is empowered to acquire for that purpose. Seedlings from this nursery may be furnished to the Commonwealth without expense for use upon its state forests or other public grounds or parks. Seeds and seedlings may also be distributed to landowners and citizens of the Commonwealth pursuant to Department regulations. (Code 1950, ( 10-36; 1968, c.40; c.567; 1988, c.8910")

Last modified: Thursday, 04-Dec-2008 16:22:06 EST