Importance of Hardwoods
Simply put, hardwood trees, also called deciduous trees, are those that lose their leaves every year. In Virginia, 80% of forests, or 12.6 million acres, are made up of hardwood or mixed hardwood-pine. Nearly 100 species of native hardwood trees grow in Virginia, including oak, hickory, yellow-poplar, maple, walnut, sweetgum, sycamore and dogwood.
Hardwoods are important and valued for many reasons. They provide the raw materials for furniture, flooring, cabinets, pallets, railroad ties, fine paper and much more. Crucial to wildlife for food, shelter and nesting, hardwood trees also play a critical role in protecting watersheds by filtering water, providing clean air, and capturing and storing large amounts of carbon. Whether light green in the early spring, or brilliantly colored in the fall, hardwoods provide outstanding scenic views and outdoor recreation for which Virginia is famous.
Benefits of Management
Forest management is the skillful use of practices (such as thinning or prescribed burning) to accomplish a desired objective. Common objectives include the following:
- Wildlife habitat
- Increasing value and commercial harvesting
- Improving water quality
- Hunting
- Aesthetics
To meet these objectives, forestry professionals prescribe management practices. Centuries of implementation and research show that managed forests promote ecosystem health, boost air and water quality and create habitat for wildlife species that require forestland in various successional stages. Whatever your objectives may be, we have the resources and tools to guide you.
Learn more about hardwood management practices.
Trouble for Hardwoods
Virginia’s hardwood forests are in decline. Due to a lack of proper management over the last several decades, mature trees are not being replaced by new ones. This process is called regeneration, and without it, native biodiversity diminishes, and invasive species spread. To reverse this decline, a statewide improvement of hardwood management is needed. The hardwood initiative is DOF’s answer.
Learn more about the hardwood initiative.
Get started managing your hardwood forest.
Additional Resources
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Contact Us
DOF foresters can assist you with your forestland, contact your local DOF forester.
For more information or questions, e-mail us or use our contact form.