What is Forest Health?
Forest health is involved in every aspect of forest management. This includes the establishment of appropriate, healthy trees on productive sites; proper forest management practices that favor vigorous growth of the best trees; reduction of losses to insect and diseases; and well planned, careful harvesting that protects standing trees from injury and protects streamside forests. Weather events, non-native plants, insects, and diseases also compromise the health of forests and can disrupt forest processes. The VDOF Forest Health program focuses primarily on four actions:
- Monitoring and surveying Virginia for forest health disturbances
- Utilizing many pest control methods (integrated pest management)
- Technical assistance to landowners
- Resource assessment, Geographic Information Systems (maps), and data management
Read more…
- Help with sick trees
- Insects and diseases
- Invasive plants in Virginia
- Quarantines in Virginia
- Financial assistance programs for forest health
Additional Resources
Learn more about many forest health disturbances in the Southeastern US at the Southern Research Extension Forestry Forest Health Website.
Image | Title | ID | Description | Content Type | document-category_hfilter | document-tags_hfilter | Media_hfilter | |
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![]() | Ailanthus Control Methods | FT0055 | Forestry topic information sheet provides information about the invasive species Ailanthus and possible methods for removing or controlling Ailanthus, including manual as well as chemical methods such as foliar spray, stem injection or basal spray. | Publication | View | forest-health | forestry-topics invasive-species invasive-species-control tree-of-heaven | publication |
![]() | Ash Tree Management – Dealing with the Emerald Ash Borer Invasion | FT0035 | Forestry topic information sheet provides information about managing your ash trees during a time when the emerald ash borer is invading, including options for your property and possible biological controls being used. | Publication | View | financial-assistance-urban-and-community-forestry financial-assistance-forest-health forest-health urban-and-community-forestry | emerald-ash-borer eabt-program forestry-topics landowner-resources | publication |
![]() | Beech Leaf Disease | R9–PR–001–21 | USDA Forest Service Pest Alert publication about beech leaf disease discusses identification and description, range, and management. | Publication | View | forest-health | diseases forest-health-impacts tree-health | publication |
![]() | Biology, Ecology, and Management of Laurel Wilt Disease and the Redbay Ambrosia Beetle | SREF-FH-006 | Southern Regional Extension Forestry Forest Health publication discusses in depth the current distribution, plant hosts, beetle identification, symptoms, disease cycle, impacts, and management of laurel wilt. | Publication | View | forest-health | laurel-wilt | publication |
![]() | Common Pests of Oaks in Virginia | FT0059 | Forestry topic information sheet discusses the most common pests and diseases affecting oak trees in Virginia. | Publication | View | forest-health | diseases forestry-topics insects oak oak-decline | publication |
![]() | Control and Utilization of Tree-of-Heaven: A Guide for Virginia Landowners | P00144 | Publication provides landowners comprehensive insight to this invasive species, including biology and life cycle, control and elimination methods, utilization of ailanthus, and other resources available. Printed copies available. | Publication | View | forest-health | invasive-species invasive-species-control landowner-resources tree-of-heaven | publication |
![]() | Cost-Share/AMP Project Amendment | 3.11 | Form | View | finance financial-assistance financial-assistance-forest-management financial-assistance-water-quality financial-assistance-forest-health forest-health forest-management water-quality | cost-share-programs eabt-program grant-programs lpfct-program lpr-program pct-program rt-program | form | |
![]() | Don’t Move Firewood | P00135 | Brochure advises citizens to leave their firewood at home, explaining the danger of spreading tree-destroying insects and diseases. Printed copies available. | Publication | View | forest-health | diseases firewood insects landowner-resources | publication |
![]() | Don’t Move Firewood – Spanish – No Transport Lena | P00136 | Brochure advises citizens to leave their firewood at home, explaining the danger of spreading tree-destroying insects and diseases. Printed copies available. | Publication | View | forest-health | diseases firewood insects landowner-resources spanish | publication |
![]() | Don’t Move Firewood Flyer | 426-106 | Flyer advises citizens to leave their firewood at home, explaining the danger of spreading tree-destroying insects and diseases. Printed copies available. | Publication | View | forest-health | diseases firewood insects landowner-resources | publication |
![]() | Emerald Ash Borer Cost-Share Program – Cost Assistance for Protecting Ash Trees | FT0032 | Forestry topic information sheet provides information about the Emerald Ash Borer Cost-Share Program for protecting ash trees, including the requirements and treatments covered by the program. | Publication | View | financial-assistance-forest-health financial-assistance-urban-and-community-forestry forest-health urban-and-community-forestry | emerald-ash-borer eabt-program forestry-topics | publication |
![]() | Emerald Ash Borer in Virginia | Information about emerald ash borer in Virginia. | StoryMap | View | forest-health | emerald-ash-borer insects | storymap | |
![]() | Emerald Ash Borer Program | Learn more about the ash treatment financial assistance program and to see the work that has been done so far. | StoryMap | View | financial-assistance-forest-health financial-assistance-urban-and-community-forestry forest-health urban-and-community-forestry | emerald-ash-borer eabt-program insects | storymap | |
![]() | Emerald Ash Borer Program Application Process and Information | Document provides guidance through the application process for the Emerald Ash Borer Program offering financial assistance for treating ash trees. | Document | View | financial-assistance-forest-health financial-assistance-urban-and-community-forestry forest-health urban-and-community-forestry | cost-share-programs emerald-ash-borer eabt-program | document | |
![]() | Emerald Ash Borer Program Cost-Share Application | 6.05 | Form | View | financial-assistance-forest-health financial-assistance-urban-and-community-forestry forest-health urban-and-community-forestry | cost-share-programs emerald-ash-borer eabt-program | form | |
![]() | Emerald Ash Borer Program Cost-Share Application – Supplement | 6.05-S | Form | View | financial-assistance-forest-health financial-assistance-urban-and-community-forestry forest-health urban-and-community-forestry | cost-share-programs emerald-ash-borer eabt-program | form | |
![]() | Forest Health Review 2005-09 | No # | Report provides an update on current forest health issues, such as weather impact, pine bark beetles, gypsy moth, emerald ash borer, hemlock woolly adelgid, brown marmorated stink bug, spotted lanternfly, and more. | Publication | View | forest-health | diseases forest-health-impacts insects | publication |
![]() | Forest Health Review 2006-04 | No # | Report provides an update on current forest health issues, such as weather impact, pine bark beetles, gypsy moth, emerald ash borer, hemlock woolly adelgid, brown marmorated stink bug, spotted lanternfly, and more. | Publication | View | forest-health | diseases forest-health-impacts insects | publication |
![]() | Forest Health Review 2006-11 | No # | Report provides an update on current forest health issues, such as weather impact, pine bark beetles, gypsy moth, emerald ash borer, hemlock woolly adelgid, brown marmorated stink bug, spotted lanternfly, and more. | Publication | View | forest-health | diseases forest-health-impacts insects | publication |
![]() | Forest Health Review 2007-05 | No # | Report provides an update on current forest health issues, such as weather impact, pine bark beetles, gypsy moth, emerald ash borer, hemlock woolly adelgid, brown marmorated stink bug, spotted lanternfly, and more. | Publication | View | forest-health | diseases forest-health-impacts insects | publication |
![]() | Forest Health Review 2007-11 | No # | Report provides an update on current forest health issues, such as weather impact, pine bark beetles, gypsy moth, emerald ash borer, hemlock woolly adelgid, brown marmorated stink bug, spotted lanternfly, and more. | Publication | View | forest-health | diseases forest-health-impacts insects | publication |
![]() | Forest Health Review 2008-05 | No # | Report provides an update on current forest health issues, such as weather impact, pine bark beetles, gypsy moth, emerald ash borer, hemlock woolly adelgid, brown marmorated stink bug, spotted lanternfly, and more. | Publication | View | forest-health | diseases forest-health-impacts insects | publication |
![]() | Forest Health Review 2008-11 | No # | Report provides an update on current forest health issues, such as weather impact, pine bark beetles, gypsy moth, emerald ash borer, hemlock woolly adelgid, brown marmorated stink bug, spotted lanternfly, and more. | Publication | View | forest-health | diseases forest-health-impacts insects | publication |
![]() | Forest Health Review 2009-05 | No # | Report provides an update on current forest health issues, such as weather impact, pine bark beetles, gypsy moth, emerald ash borer, hemlock woolly adelgid, brown marmorated stink bug, spotted lanternfly, and more. | Publication | View | forest-health | diseases forest-health-impacts insects | publication |
![]() | Forest Health Review 2009-11 | No # | Report provides an update on current forest health issues, such as weather impact, pine bark beetles, gypsy moth, emerald ash borer, hemlock woolly adelgid, brown marmorated stink bug, spotted lanternfly, and more. | Publication | View | forest-health | diseases forest-health-impacts insects | publication |
![]() | Forest Health Review 2010-05 | No # | Report provides an update on current forest health issues, such as weather impact, pine bark beetles, gypsy moth, emerald ash borer, hemlock woolly adelgid, brown marmorated stink bug, spotted lanternfly, and more. | Publication | View | forest-health | diseases forest-health-impacts insects | publication |
![]() | Forest Health Review 2010-11 | No # | Report provides an update on current forest health issues, such as weather impact, pine bark beetles, gypsy moth, emerald ash borer, hemlock woolly adelgid, brown marmorated stink bug, spotted lanternfly, and more. | Publication | View | forest-health | diseases forest-health-impacts insects | publication |
![]() | Forest Health Review 2011-05 | No # | Report provides an update on current forest health issues, such as weather impact, pine bark beetles, gypsy moth, emerald ash borer, hemlock woolly adelgid, brown marmorated stink bug, spotted lanternfly, and more. | Publication | View | forest-health | diseases forest-health-impacts insects | publication |
![]() | Forest Health Review 2011-11 | No # | Report provides an update on current forest health issues, such as weather impact, pine bark beetles, gypsy moth, emerald ash borer, hemlock woolly adelgid, brown marmorated stink bug, spotted lanternfly, and more. | Publication | View | forest-health | diseases forest-health-impacts insects | publication |
![]() | Forest Health Review 2012-07 | No # | Report provides an update on current forest health issues, such as weather impact, pine bark beetles, gypsy moth, emerald ash borer, hemlock woolly adelgid, brown marmorated stink bug, spotted lanternfly, and more. | Publication | View | forest-health | diseases forest-health-impacts insects | publication |
![]() | Forest Health Review 2013-01 | No # | Report provides an update on current forest health issues, such as weather impact, pine bark beetles, gypsy moth, emerald ash borer, hemlock woolly adelgid, brown marmorated stink bug, spotted lanternfly, and more. | Publication | View | forest-health | diseases forest-health-impacts insects | publication |
![]() | Forest Health Review 2014-02 | No # | Report provides an update on current forest health issues, such as weather impact, pine bark beetles, gypsy moth, emerald ash borer, hemlock woolly adelgid, brown marmorated stink bug, spotted lanternfly, and more. | Publication | View | forest-health | diseases forest-health-impacts insects | publication |
![]() | Forest Health Review 2014-12 | No # | Report provides an update on current forest health issues, such as weather impact, pine bark beetles, gypsy moth, emerald ash borer, hemlock woolly adelgid, brown marmorated stink bug, spotted lanternfly, and more. | Publication | View | forest-health | diseases forest-health-impacts insects | publication |
![]() | Forest Health Review 2016-02 | No # | Report provides an update on current forest health issues, such as weather impact, pine bark beetles, gypsy moth, emerald ash borer, hemlock woolly adelgid, brown marmorated stink bug, spotted lanternfly, and more. | Publication | View | forest-health | diseases forest-health-impacts insects | publication |
![]() | Forest Health Review 2017-01 | No # | Report provides an update on current forest health issues, such as weather impact, pine bark beetles, gypsy moth, emerald ash borer, hemlock woolly adelgid, brown marmorated stink bug, spotted lanternfly, and more. | Publication | View | forest-health | diseases forest-health-impacts insects | publication |
![]() | Forest Health Review 2018-01 | No # | Report provides an update on current forest health issues, such as weather impact, pine bark beetles, gypsy moth, emerald ash borer, hemlock woolly adelgid, brown marmorated stink bug, spotted lanternfly, and more. | Publication | View | forest-health | diseases forest-health-impacts insects | publication |
![]() | Forest Health Review 2019-01 | No # | Report provides an update on current forest health issues, such as weather impact, pine bark beetles, gypsy moth, emerald ash borer, hemlock woolly adelgid, brown marmorated stink bug, spotted lanternfly, and more. | Publication | View | forest-health | diseases forest-health-impacts insects | publication |
![]() | Forest Health Review 2020-01 | No # | Report provides an update on current forest health issues, such as weather impact, pine bark beetles, gypsy moth, emerald ash borer, hemlock woolly adelgid, brown marmorated stink bug, spotted lanternfly, and more. | Publication | View | forest-health | diseases forest-health-impacts insects | publication |
![]() | Forest Health Review 2021-01 | Report provides an update on current forest health issues, such as weather impact, pine bark beetles, gypsy moth, emerald ash borer, hemlock woolly adelgid, brown periodical cicadas, spotted lanternfly, Asian longhorned beetle, fall cankerworm, and more. | Publication | View | forest-health | diseases forest-health-impacts insects | publication | |
![]() | Forest Health Review 2021-12 | Report provides an update on current forest health issues, such as weather impact, pine bark beetles, gypsy moth, emerald ash borer, hemlock woolly adelgid, brown periodical cicadas, spotted lanternfly, Asian longhorned beetle, fall cankerworm, and more. | Publication | View | forest-health | diseases forest-health-impacts insects | publication | |
![]() | Forestry Cost-Share or Grant Program Certification of Work Completed | 3.09 | Form | View | finance financial-assistance-water-quality financial-assistance-forest-health financial-assistance financial-assistance-forest-management forest-health forest-management water-quality | cost-share-programs grant-programs lpfct-program lpr-program pct-program | form | |
![]() | From the Brink! The Effort to Restore Virginia’s Native Longleaf Pine – 2014 Status Report | P00212 | Report provides a brief history of longleaf pine in Virginia, the original range of longleaf pine, longleaf and fire, the search for native longleaf pine, the case for conserving and restoring Virginia’s longleaf pine, the importance of Northern-source seedlings for longleaf pine restoration, seed collection and seedling production, orchard development, where we are restoring longleaf pine, special programs available to promote the restoration effort, and future goals and challenges. Printed copies available. | Publication | View | financial-assistance-forest-health forest-health | diminished-species longleaf-pine lpr-program species-restoration | publication |
![]() | Gypsy Moth (Spongy Moth) Management for Homeowners on Small Properties | This factsheet details the life cycle and biology of the spongy moth. | Resource | View | forest-health | insects spongy-moth | resource | |
![]() | Insecticide Options for Protecting Ash Trees from Emerald Ash Borer | Learn more about all treatment options available for ash trees with this multi-state emerald ash borer insecticide fact sheet. | Publication | View | forest-health | emerald-ash-borer insects | publication | |
![]() | Invasive Plants – Help Stop the Spread | P00216 | Brochure educates citizens about invasive plants, including what makes an plant invasive, the problems they cause, characteristics, and how to stop the spread of invasive plants. Printed copies available. | Publication | View | forest-health | invasive-species invasive-species-identification landowner-resources | publication |
![]() | Laurel Wilt | R8-PR-01-19 | USDA Forest Service Pest Alert publication about laurel wilt discusses symptoms, disease process, hosts, detection, and management. | Publication | View | forest-health | laurel-wilt | publication |
![]() | Laurel Wilt (Raffaelea lauricola and Xyleborus glabratus) | Don’t Move Firewood website provides additional information about laurel wilt and the redbay ambrosia beetle. | Resource | View | forest-health | laurel-wilt | resource | |
![]() | Laurel Wilt Disease | FT0056 | Forestry topic information sheet provides information about laurel wilt disease – a threat to all species in the Laurel family. Information includes the hosts, signs and symptoms, and how to manage the disease. | Publication | View | forest-health | diseases forestry-topics laurel-wilt | publication |
![]() | Multiple Landowners Supplement | 3.10 | Form | View | finance financial-assistance financial-assistance-forest-management financial-assistance-water-quality financial-assistance-forest-health forest-health forest-management water-quality | cost-share-programs eabt-program grant-programs lpfct-program lpr-program pct-program rt-program | form | |
![]() | Non-Native Invasive Plant Species Control Treatments – Timing Methods and Herbicide Rates | FT0031 | Forestry topic information sheet provides information about possible control treatments for some of Virginia’s most common non-native invasive plant species. | Publication | View | forest-health | forestry-topics invasive-species invasive-species-control | publication |
![]() | Oak Decline in Virginia | This report provides an overview of oak decline and the factors that cause it. | Publication | View | forest-health | insects oak-decline | publication | |
![]() | Pine Bark Beetle Prevention Program Logger Incentive Cost-Share Application | 6.03 | Form | View | financial-assistance-forest-health forest-health | cost-share-programs lpfct-program logger-resources pine-bark-beetle southern-pine-beetle | form | |
![]() | Pine Bark Beetle Prevention Program Longleaf Pine Restoration Cost-Share Application | 6.01 | Form | View | financial-assistance-forest-health forest-health | cost-share-programs lpr-program pine-bark-beetle pre-commercial-thinning southern-pine-beetle thinning | form | |
![]() | Pine Bark Beetle Prevention Program Pre-Commercial Thinning Cost-Share Application | 6.02 | Form | View | financial-assistance-forest-health forest-health | cost-share-programs pine-bark-beetle pre-commercial-thinning pct-program southern-pine-beetle thinning | form | |
![]() | Protect Your Pine Forest | P00114 | Brochure educates landowners on options available to help maintain healthy pine forests and prevent bark beetle damage including cost-sharing pre-commercial thinning and cost-sharing longleaf pine restoration. Printed copies available. | Publication | View | financial-assistance-forest-health forest-health | cost-share-programs forest-health-impacts landowner-resources pine-management timber-harvesting | publication |
![]() | Red Imported Fire Ant | Information about the red imported fire ant (RIFA). | Publication | View | forest-health | insects | publication | |
![]() | Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification (Virginia Dept. of Accounts) | W-9 | Form | View | finance financial-assistance-water-quality financial-assistance-fire-and-emergency-response financial-assistance-forest-management financial-assistance-urban-and-community-forestry financial-assistance-forest-health fire-and-emergency-response forest-health forest-management urban-and-community-forestry water-quality | cost-share-programs eabt-program firewise-mitigation-program grant-programs lpfct-program lpr-program pct-program rt-program vfa-program | form | |
![]() | Services for Landowners | P00112 | Brochure provides information about the services available to landowners from the Virginia Department of Forestry, including forest management and forest health, timber harvesting and water quality, land conservation, tree seedling production, and resource protection. Printed copies available. | Publication | View | fire-and-emergency-response forest-health forest-management forestland-conservation nurseries urban-and-community-forestry water-quality | agency-services conservation forest-health-impacts forest-planning land-planning landowner-assistance seedling-nurseries timber-harvesting water-quality-laws water-quality-protection wildfire-prevention wildfire-suppression | publication |
![]() | Southern Pine Beetle | Information about the southern pine beetle and the problems it can cause. | StoryMap | View | forest-health | insects southern-pine-beetle | storymap | |
![]() | Spotted Lanternfly in Virginia | Information on how to identify the spotted lanternfly or find additional resources are available on this Virginia Cooperative Extension website. | Resource | View | forest-health | insects spotted-lanternfly | resource | |
![]() | Spotted Lanternfly Logger Self-Inspection Checklist – Slow the Spread!!! | FT0050 | Forestry topic information sheet provides a checklist for loggers to do a self-inspection for spotted lanternfly, including photos of what to be looking for. | Publication | View | forest-health | forestry-topics logger-resources spotted-lanternfly | publication |
![]() | Tree and Forest Health Guide | P00217 | Book provides guidance about tree and forest health; conditions that are common or important enough in Virginia to gain frequent attention are covered. General guidelines are given for the diagnosis and treatment of biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) disturbances of forests and individual trees. Guide should not be used as a final reference, but rather a quick field guide and training tool. | Publication | View | forest-health | diseases insect-and-disease-id insects | publication |
![]() | Tree and Forest Health Guide (2-page spread) | P00217 | Book provides guidance about tree and forest health; conditions that are common or important enough in Virginia to gain frequent attention are covered. General guidelines are given for the diagnosis and treatment of biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) disturbances of forests and individual trees. Guide should not be used as a final reference, but rather a quick field guide and training tool. | Publication | View | forest-health | diseases insect-and-disease-id insects | publication |
![]() | Virginia Cooperative Spongy Moth Suppression Program | Publication provides information on the Spongy Moth Slow the Spread Program. | Publication | View | forest-health | insects spongy-moth | publication | |
![]() | Virginia Invasive Plant Species List | The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation maintains the invasive plant species list. | Publication | View | forest-health | invasive-species invasive-species-identification | publication | |
![]() | Walnut Thousand Cankers Disease Alert | This Virginia Cooperative Extension factsheet will help detail thousand cankers disease {TCD} and what symptoms to be on the lookout for. | Publication | View | forest-health | insects thousand-cankers-disease | publication |
GIS Data Resources
VDOF has made available various GIS data sets related to forest health (GIS software required.)
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