Virginia Department
of Forestry

Get to know details about a single tree.

One-page calendar identifies what forest health issues or occurrences are happening each month throughout the year. Learn what to look for each month.

Forestry topic information sheet helps in identifying the most common acorns and nuts in Virginia to assist in the collection for our nursery.

Pictorial sheet showing the types of bark with photo samples of each.

By Ellen Powell, Conservation Education Coordinator – Presentation reviews the basics of tree identification.

PowerPoint presentation of the camper slideshow for 2019 Camp Woods & Wildlife. (Warning – large file)

PowerPoint presentation of the camper slideshow for 2022 Camp Woods and Wildlife. (Warning – large file)

PowerPoint presentation of the camper slideshow for 2023 Camp Woods and Wildlife. (Warning – large file)

PowerPoint presentation of the camper slideshow for 2024 Camp Woods & Wildlife. (Warning – large file)

PowerPoint presentation of the camper slideshow for 2025 Camp Woods & Wildlife. (Warning – large file)

Report is published each year following camp and provides the highlights of camp, staff, programs, sponsors, budget summary and announcement of dates for the following year’s camp.

Report is published each year following camp and provides the highlights of camp, staff, programs, sponsors, budget summary and announcement of dates for the following year’s camp.

Report is published each year following camp and provides the highlights of camp, staff, programs, sponsors and announcement of dates for the following year’s camp.

Report is published each year following camp and provides the highlights of camp, staff, programs, sponsors and announcement of dates for the following year’s camp.

Information sheet with the most frequently asked questions about Camp.

Camp Woods and Wildlife is typically held each year, normally in June. Printed copies available.

Identification book is a favorite of teachers, Scout leaders and outdoor enthusiasts. Book features descriptions, line drawings and an identification key to the most common native Virginia shrubs and woody vines. It also contains hints for effective plant identification, invasive species threats, and more. Printed copies available for sale.

Identification book is a favorite of teachers, Scout leaders and outdoor enthusiasts. Book features descriptions, line drawings and an identification key to the most common native Virginia shrubs and woody vines. It also contains hints for effective plant identification, invasive species threats, and more. Printed copies available for sale.

Identification book is a favorite of teachers, Scout leaders and outdoor enthusiasts. Book features descriptions, line drawings, and an identification key to the most common native Virginia trees. It also contains hints for effective plant identification, invasive species threats, and more. Printed copies available for sale.

Identification book is a favorite of teachers, Scout leaders and outdoor enthusiasts. Book features descriptions, line drawings, and an identification key to the most common native Virginia trees. It also contains hints for effective plant identification, invasive species threats, and more. Printed copies available for sale.

Explore wildlife habitat requirements on the forest.

Family fun activity sheet provides activities to get young people outdoors in nature, including leaf art, find it, family tree, treasure box, and staying safe when out in nature during fall. Target audience: Youth – elementary age. Printed copies available.

Family fun activity sheet provides activities to get young people outdoors in nature, including paint by nature, where does water go, family tree, bird nest building, and staying safe when out in nature during spring. Target audience: Youth – elementary age. Printed copies available.

Family fun activity sheet provides activities to get young people outdoors in nature, including color walk, butterfly feeder, family tree, quiet time, and staying safe when out in nature during summer. Target audience: Youth – elementary age. Printed copies available.

Family fun activity sheet provides activities to get young people outdoors in nature, including bird cookies, feeder watching, family tree, bark rubbings, and staying safe when out in nature during winter. Target audience: Youth – elementary age. Printed copies available.

Listing of environmental education activities to do at home.

Video provides a 360° forestry experience on a timber harvest. Read the Fact Sheet or do the Activity Suggestion: Create a Tree.

Forest Facts information sheet provides an illustrated overview of forestry in Virginia, what is forestry, how does forestry help Virginia, what are working forests and why do we need them, what does a forester do, why do we cut down trees, will we run out of trees, and what can I do to help save our forests. Target audience: Youth – elementary age. Printed copies available.

Crossword puzzle tests knowledge learned from the Forest Facts “Forestry in Virginia” publication.

Forest Facts information sheet provides an illustrated explanation of our fiery history; prescribed fire = good fire; wildfire = bad fire; the fire triangle; be fire-safe outdoors; who’s that bear; a fire-loving tree; and fire laws. Target audience: Youth – elementary age. Printed copies available.

Crossword puzzle tests knowledge learned from the Forest Facts “Forests and Fire” publication.

Forest Facts information sheet provides an illustrated explanation of how a tree grows, including starting from a seed; how trees grow up, down and out; and tree rings. Target audience: Youth – elementary age. Printed copies available.

Crossword puzzle tests knowledge learned from the Forest Facts “How a Tree Grows” publication.

Forest Facts information sheet provides an illustrated explanation of the key methods for identifying tree species, what defines a tree, identifying features, leaf characteristics, bark characteristics, and other tips for identifying trees. Target audience: Youth – elementary age. Printed copies available.

Crossword puzzle tests knowledge learned from the Forest Facts “Identifying Trees” publication.

Forest Facts information sheet provides an illustrated explanation of the importance of trees to wildlife, how trees provide home sweet habitat, how to improve wildlife habitat at home, and how the wildlife changes as the forest changes through forest succession. Target audience: Youth – elementary age Printed copies available.

Crossword puzzle tests knowledge learned from the Forest Facts “Trees and Wildlife” publication.

Forest Facts information sheet provides an illustrated explanation of how trees help to protect our water, understand a tree’s relationship to the land and water, understanding watersheds, the Chesapeake Bay watershed, how trees protect watersheds, the riparian zone, and how you can help by planting trees. Target audience: Youth – elementary age. Printed copies available.

Crossword puzzle tests knowledge learned from the Forest Facts “Trees Protect Water” publication.

Forest Facts information sheet provides an illustrated explanation of the science of leaves changing colors, the role of pigments, effects of the calendar and weather, why these changes occur, and fall leaf identification information. Target audience: Youth – elementary age. Printed copies available.

Crossword puzzle tests knowledge learned from the Forest Facts “Virginia in the Fall” publication.

Forest Facts information sheet provides an illustrator explanation of non-native insects and plants, including how a definition of native or non-native, upsetting the balance, how they spread, how we can stop them, and Virginia’s least wanted species. Target audience: Youth – elementary age. Printed copies available.

Crossword puzzle tests knowledge learned from the Forest Facts “Virginia’s Alien Invaders” publication.

Forest Facts information sheet provides an illustrated explanation of just why we need trees, trees are beautiful, provide wildlife habitat, clean the water, give us products, produce oxygen, clear the air, save energy and money, and the loss of trees that is occurring. Target audience: Youth – elementary age. Printed copies available.

Crossword puzzle tests knowledge learned from the Forest Facts “Why We Need Trees” publication.

Use the senses to discover and describe the forest.

Understand the process of plant succession in forests.

Descriptions and background information on forest types.

Supplemental glossary for forest types lessons

Map shows the major forest types in Virginia.

Virginia map showing coverage of forest types

Photos of Virginia’s major forest types

See a list of lessons in the forest types series.

Research forest types that are now uncommon in Virginia.

Report is published each year following camp and provides the highlights of camp, staff, programs, sponsors, budget summary and announcement of dates for the following year’s camp.

Report is published each year following camp and provides the highlights of camp, staff, programs, sponsors, budget summary and announcement of dates for the following year’s camp.

Report is published each year following camp and provides the highlights of camp, staff, programs, sponsors, budget summary and announcement of dates for the following year’s camp.

Report is published each year following camp and provides the highlights of camp, staff, programs, sponsors, budget summary and announcement of dates for the following year’s camp.

Identify trees of central Virginia.

Identify trees of northern Virginia.

Identify trees of western Virginia.

Identify trees of eastern Virginia.

Coloring book teaches children about the value of trees while through the fun activity of coloring. Target audience: Youth – preschool and young elementary age. Printed copies available.

Flyer advertising the Matthews State Forest Hunting Workshop September 13, 2025, and Mentored Hunt September 27, 2025.

Use several methods to measure tree height and diameter.

Listing of free online Project Learning Tree materials and resources for nature activities for families.

Activity book helps youth explore careers in the forest through a variety of activities. Limited printed copies available.

Learn about invasive species that impact forests and explore solutions.

Collect data about features of a forest plot.

Explore the role of soils in determining forest type.

Learn about plant succession in a typical Virginia forest.

Observe regeneration to predict the future makeup of a forest.

Learn about the value of urban forests.

Understand threats to Virginia’s forests.

This Arbor Day Foundation webpage provides access to many Tree City USA Bulletins offering a vast array of information about all things trees and community forestry.

Photos of trees from the identification keys in this lesson series.

Forest information for Appomattox-Buckingham Tree Trunk

Forest information for Conway-Robinson Tree Trunk

Forest Information for Cumberland Tree Trunk

Forest information for Matthews Tree Trunk

Forest Information for Prince Edward-Gallion Tree Trunk

Forest Information for Whitney Tree Trunk

Forest Information for Zoar Tree Trunk

List and brief descriptions of lesson plans in the State Forest Tree Trunks series

A mini-curriculum for the book “Why Would Anyone Cut a Tree Down?”

In this lesson series, middle school and high school students will explore the forest types in their area and across the state. They will gain an understanding of how climate, soils and human actions influence the forest. They will observe how forests in Virginia have changed and continue to change over time. They will learn about threats to forests and address the challenges involved in managing and maintaining them. The lessons incorporate small group work, field data collection, computer applications and discussion.

Poster shows the damage done but this threat to our native ash trees. Designed for 24 in. x 36 in. poster. Target audience: Youth – elementary age.

Poster helps identify invasive plants, which threaten our forest ecosystems. Designed for 24 in. x 36 in. poster. Target audience: Youth – elementary age.

Poster shows the damage done but this threat to our native black walnut trees. Designed for 24 in. x 36 in. poster. Target audience: Youth – elementary age.

Determine why forest types vary from place to place.

Make decisions about forest management.

Illustrator children’s book discusses the benefits of trees, why we cut trees, and how we can plant trees back. Produced by the USFS.

Explore wildlife habitat requirements.

Wood science activities provided by Virginia Cooperative Extension for 14-18 year olds.

Wood science activities provided by Virginia Cooperative Extension for 9-11 year olds.