Virginia Tree Farm Foundation

10/21/2025

https://www.morningagclips.com/what-is-that-fuzzy-black-caterpillar/

COLLEGE STATION, Texas -- If you’ve been watching your step, there’s a good chance you may have spotted some fuzzy black caterpillars inching their way...

10/07/2025

DOF's online seedling store is now open! Shop from 56 Virginia-grown tree and shrub species at BuyVATrees.com. 🌱🛒

DOF accepts orders until April, but supplies are limited, and some species sell out quickly. Orders placed now will be ready next February, right in time for the spring planting season, and can be shipped nationally or picked up from our nursery.

10/07/2025

From the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources's Acorn Production Report:

"Due to the abundance of acorns across many areas of the state, many wildlife species will likely be less mobile throughout the fall as they target these high-calorie food sources. This can make them less visible to both hunters and other outdoor recreationists as they may not use open fields, food plots, and other early successional habitats as readily. Secondary hard mast sources such as hickory, beech, and chestnuts (primarily Chinese chestnut) were in abundance across much of the state, as were soft mast species such as blackberries, blueberries, pokeberry, wild grapes, paw-paws, persimmons, dogwood, and black gum fruits. This means many wildlife species should be in excellent condition as they enter the winter after feasting on many of these food sources all fall."

Good news! Surveys indicate an abundance of acorns across many areas of the state.

10/03/2025

If you had timber damage from Hurricane Helene, please read:

Governor Glenn Youngkin announced yesterday that Virginia is the first state in the nation to launch the Farm Recovery Block Grant Program, funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Beginning Monday, September 22, 2025, farmers and forestland owners in designated localities can apply for direct financial assistance to recover from the devastating impacts of Hurricane Helene.

The program is available to eligible forest landowners and timber owners in 27 localities in southwest Virginia (map available at the DOF weblink below). VDACS will be administering the program. DOF is assisting with forestry damage determination using GIS and other available data. The 45-day application period began September 22nd and will run through November 6th.

The DOF website has details regarding the forestry aspects of the program: https://dof.virginia.gov/disaster-relief/

The VDACS website has general program details: https://www.vdacs.virginia.gov/about-farm-recovery-block-grant.shtml

What does this mean for you? How can you help?

1. Inform landowners you may know of this opportunity and assist them with the application process.
2. While DOF will use GIS analysis to estimate timber loss for each property, landowners do have the option to provide a timber loss inventory to VDACS if it is prepared by a private professional forester.

This is the first time federal funds have been available to directly offset timber losses.

Boards and Organizations within the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS).

10/01/2025

09/26/2025

Wrapping up the 2025 Tree Farm Foundation Lunch Tours in Montgomery County with Glen Worrell, VTFF president, and Allen Sowder, Tree Farmer.

09/22/2025

Take a virtual tour of the Tree Farms we've been visiting this year.