Virginia Department
of Forestry

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.

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.

Explore the role of soils in determining forest type.

Learn about the value of urban forests.

Understand threats to Virginia’s forests.

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 maps the various forest types in Virginia and is 24 in. x 36 in. Printed copies available.

Determine why forest types vary from place to place.

Make decisions about forest management.

Explore wildlife habitat requirements.

Get to know details about a single tree.

Explore wildlife habitat requirements on the forest.

Use the senses to discover and describe the forest.

Identify trees of central Virginia.

Identify trees of northern Virginia.

Identify trees of western Virginia.

Identify trees of eastern Virginia.

Use several methods to measure tree height and diameter.

Learn about invasive species that impact forests and explore solutions.

Collect data about features of a forest plot.

Learn about plant succession in a typical Virginia forest.

Observe regeneration to predict the future makeup of a forest.

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

Get to know details about a single tree.

Explore wildlife habitat requirements on the forest.

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

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.

Identify trees of central Virginia.

Identify trees of northern Virginia.

Identify trees of western Virginia.

Identify trees of eastern Virginia.

Use several methods to measure tree height and diameter.

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.

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

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.

Determine why forest types vary from place to place.

Make decisions about forest management.

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.