Manage Your Forest

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The Virginia Department of Forestry (VDOF) provides technical assistance to private landowners. Landowners have many options for managing their forest land, including:

forest products
water quality
protection of threatened and endangered species
historic resources and wildlife habitat

The VDOF also manages other state lands and maintains seed orchards. Learn more about the Forest Management Program and the State Lands Management Program.

Tree Care and Identification

Trees 101: How to plant, prune, and care for individual trees.
Tree Identification - pictures and information about Virginia's forest trees.

Forest Management Practices

Did You Know? Loggers must notify us of their timber harvests using this online form.

Forest Harvesting and Selling Timber

Do you think you have valuable trees on your forested property? Get started here if you're thinking about selling them.

Forest Stewardship

Forest Stewardship Plan - Find forms and sample documents to help you decide what you want to do with your forest, and we can help you reach your objectives.
Managing Your Forest - the best management practices to achieve your goals.
Services Provided by VDOF and Service Fees
Riparian Forests - Wooded buffer zones along streams, rivers, and the Chesapeake Bay can be classified as riparian forests.
Wildlife Management and Identification
Tax Information - Here you'll find comprehensive resources covering recordkeeping, filing, and estate planning.

Create Maps

Use aerial photography and online software tools, such as our Web-based ForestRIM mapping program, to measure and map your property.

GIS Mapping and Visualization

Mapping, Visualization, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) - Create maps of your forested property.

Sawmills and Wood Manufacturing

Trees have value for timber to make lumber, and for the pulp and paper industries. Many other forest products can create income from your property.