Forest Health

Virginia's forests contribute $30.5 billion annually to the commonwealth's economy while enhancing the health and well being of its citizens. Every phase of forest development involves forest health, including the proper establishment of appropriate, healthy trees on productive sites; cultural practices that favor vigorous growth of the best trees; reduction of losses to pest organisms; and well planned, careful harvesting that protects standing trees from injury and maintains the integrity of riparian areas. Learn more about the Forest Health Program.

Virginia Tree and Forest Health Guide

• This primer covers common insect and disease problems found in Virginia trees.
  • Introduction
  • Guidelines for Promoting Tree and Forest Health
  • Diagnosing Tree Problems
  • Making Recommendations
  • Tree Problems: Diagnosis and Treatment
• Tree Disease and Insect Guide: Conifers
• Tree Disease and Insect Guide: Hardwood

Emerald Ash Borer

• Emerald Ash Borer - Emerald ash borer (EAB), Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire, is an exotic beetle that was discovered in southeastern Michigan.

Gypsy Moth

• Gypsy Moth - Defoliation due to the gypsy moth in the United States regularly approaches two million acres annually.
• Gypsy Moth Defoliation in Virginia:
  • 2003
  • 2002
  • 2001
  • Statewide Data: Defoliation by County

Southern Pine Beetle

• Pine Bark Beetle Prevention Cost-share Program
• Protect Your Pine Forest - Bark Beetle Cost-share Options for Landowners. (English; PDF format)
• Southern Pine Beetle
• Southern Pine Beetle Internet Control Center (SPBICC).

Insect Identifcation and Information Sources

• Insect Identification - resources available from Virginia Tech
• Control Of Low-Level Nantucket Pine Tip Moth Populations: A Cost-Benefit Analysis (English; PDF format)
• The Bugwood Network offers links to many insect information sources by state and federal agencies.

Invasive Species

Invasive species are non-native to Virginia that spread quickly and are expensive and difficult to get rid of.

• Invasive Alien Plant Species of Virginia
• Cost-Effective Tree Removal and Utilization Strategies to Address Invasive Species Attacks
• Invasive Species (English, MS PowerPoint Presentation, 1.95MB)
• Alien Plant Invaders of Natural Areas - Fact Sheets
• The Bugwood Network offers links to many invasive species information sources by state and federal agencies.

Insects can cause damage to healthy trees by feeding on their leaves or boring into their trunks. The threat insects pose continues with their larvae, which can be transported to new locations through firewood. In this way, areas that may not have been infected by insects can have a new infestation. Several information campaigns let the public know about the dangers of moving firewood.

• Don't Move Firewood (English; PDF format)
• Don't Move Firewood (Spanish; PDF format)
• “Don’t Move Firewood” - from the Continental Dialogue on Non-Native Forest Insects and Diseases.

The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) restricts moving any firewood from a quarantined area, including those states or counties within states under quarantine, from entering Virginia without a proper permit. View the map of quarantined areas. The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) is enforcing the quarantine as best they can by telling folks entering their parks with firewood to burn it all within 24 hours and not to bring any on their next visit. They are confiscating and replacing any firewood coming from northern Virginia's quarantined counties. If a citizen refuses to replace their firewood with local sources provided by DCR, DCR is imposing a fine commensurate with a Class I misdimeanor. Fines for out of state firewood from quarantined areas violate federal laws and punishments can be more severe.

Even if an area is not under quarantine, it is a good general practice to not move firewood long distances. The quarantine regulations for an area usually lag well behind the arrival of a new invasive speces.

Climate Change

• Virginia Forests and Climate Change - The world’s forests, including the forests of Virginia, play a large, positive role in the climate change issue.

Alternative and Renewable Energy

• Virginia's Energy Plan - a ten-year comprehensive Energy Plan geared to implement the Commonwealth's energy policy.
• Alternative Energy Resources in Virginia
• Virginia Wind Resource Map

Ecosystem Services

• Virginia Landowner's Guide to the Carbon Market (English; PDF format)

Forest Health Publications

• View our list of publications on Forest Health.

Additional Resources

• Mast Production - see the statistics on mast production for 2006. (English; PDF format)
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Presentations
• Links to Partner agencies, organizations and state forestry agencies.

Last modified: Tuesday, 17-Feb-2009 15:58:42 EST