The Understory – May 29, 2025
May 29, 2025 11:59 am
Landowner Stuart Price proudly shows off his forest management plan.
Landowner Reforestation Success in Amelia
When Amelia County landowners Stuart and Melissa Price bought their 16-acre property in 2010, only 10 acres were forested. The previous owners used the remaining grass fields to graze beef cattle. Stuart and Melissa considered how they could repurpose the lot, starting with hiking trails.
Working with DOF Dinwiddie Area Forester Doug Audley, Stuart created a forest stewardship plan that identified the existing tree species and wildlife, noted the history of the property, and provided tips for upkeep. Their specific objectives were to increase the number of trees, boost wildlife benefits and increase carbon sequestration.
Today, reforestation is in full swing on the Price property. Thriving reforested stands of green ash, red maple, poplar, cedar, pine and river birch have replaced grassy fields. Stuart estimates that the reforestation has increased the property’s carbon sequestration capacity by 37%. Trails offer easy access to meander through woods and wild blackberry patches, and take travelers across a scenic, vine-covered bridge that crosses a creek that eventually feeds into the Appomattox River.
“The property was too small for commercial carbon credit programs, so I decided to be a volunteer woodland owner,” said Stuart. “We began managing the property to highlight scenic value. The farm fields would be reforested, mainly through natural tree regeneration, and the local ecosystem would be expanded. Knowing that our choices have increased the number of trees — and enhanced the carbon sequestration value of the property — is most valuable to us. Every day when we step outside to forest bathe, we’re reminded that the benefits of our work go beyond our personal enjoyment, to the local wildlife and overall public welfare.”
Ready to improve your woods? Whether your land goals include wildlife benefits, recreation, carbon sequestration, aesthetics, or some combination, contact your local DOF forester for expert guidance on next steps.
Wildland firefighters from DOF, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio and New Jersey pause for a photo after a morning briefing.
DOF Mobilizes to Pennsylvania
As part of a mobilization of the Mid-Atlantic Fire Compact, DOF recently sent three firefighters and a type-6 engine to help Pennsylvania suppress the Thompson Hollow and Hammonds Rocks wildfires on the Michaux State Forest, near Gettysburg. West Virginia, Ohio, and New Jersey also sent resources to assist.
Over their 10-day assignment, the DOF crew conducted burnout, mop-up, and snagging operations on both fires. The Thompson Hollow Fire burned 2,248 acres, and the Hammonds Rocks Fire burned 470 acres.
DOF Research Manager Zoe Bergman inspects a red spruce sapling.
Red Spruce Rebound
Red spruce (Picea rubens) was once abundant in Virginia’s mountainous, sub-alpine regions. Today, just 10 percent of that population remains. Although they grow slowly, these coniferous evergreens can reach heights of over 100 feet and live for more than 400 years. They prefer moist but well-drained soils found only in certain high-elevation areas. Because they occupy this narrow ecological niche, red spruce is especially susceptible to environmental changes. This sensitivity, combined with land conversion and damage from slash-burning over the last 70 years, has greatly reduced red spruce range and abundance.
In an effort to restore these populations, DOF has begun growing red spruce at its nurseries. DOF researchers and state forest staff recently planted the latest batch of spruce seedlings on remote, high-elevation plots at Old Flat and Channels state forests in Grayson and Washington counties, alongside beautiful mature stands of red spruce that are thriving there.
See some red spruce for yourself! Healthy populations can be found at Grayson Highlands State Park, White Top Mountain, Elliott Knob, and White Oak Canyon.
Tags: The Understory
Category: Education, Public Information