Urban forestry is a rapidly growing field that includes all aspects of forest management and tree care anywhere people live—from cities to small towns. This Gateway page links you to the diverse array of educational opportunities and resources in urban forestry available from Virginia Tech. To learn more about the past, present, and future of Virginia Tech’s urban forestry program, check out this presentation.
Virginia Tech’s Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation offers a Bachelor's of Science degree with an urban forestry option. An urban forestry minor is also offered for undergraduate students in related disciplines at Virginia Tech. Graduate programs in urban forestry include a Master's of Forestry or a Master's of Science degree and a PhD.
The Urban Forestry undergraduate option is a flexible interdisciplinary degree program emphasizing the care and management of trees in cities and communities. Areas of study include tree biology and health, geospatial analysis of tree canopy cover and environmental benefits assessments, insect and disease management, urban soils and design strategies, and tree protection during construction. Students take core Urban Forestry classes as well as an array of classes from Horticulture, Landscape Architecture, Urban Affairs and Planning and other disciplines. Interaction with students and faculty from other disciplines is encouraged as students craft their degree program for careers in municipal forestry, commercial tree care, regional urban forest management, nonprofit organizations, urban environmental consulting and many other related fields.
Virginia Tech's urban forestry curriculum is, accredited by the Society of American Foresters under its specialized urban forestry accreditation standard.
Special Note for Transfer Students:
The Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation has been working in conjunction with the community college system to facilitate the transfer process and create opportunities for students. An agreement is now in place with Dabney S. Lancaster Community College (see letter of agreement). For general information on transferring into Urban Forestry at Virginia Tech, contact the CNRE Undergraduate Admissions office at vtcnr@vt.edu or (540) 231-5482.
A brochure available for download is available here.
Dr. John McGee (Virginia Geospatial Specialist)
In the News:
Looking for a major? Urban Forestry Campus Informational Session Thursday Mar. 22, 2012, 317A Cheatham Hall--contact Dr. Day for more informationMA-ESA Conference on Ecology of Disturbed Environments--April 14-15, 2012
Virginia Tech partners with Trees Virginia to create specialty license plate that promotes community trees. Click here to get yours.
Virginia Tech achieves Tree Campus USA ™ Status for 2010
Trees Virginia ------Virginia Urban Forest Council Student Scholarship Program
Virginia Tech First to Receive Specialized Urban
Forestry Accreditation
A joint project between the Horticulture and Forestry Departments at Virginia Tech examining if tree roots can improve infiltration for better stormwater management was recently featured on Science Daily.
New Integrated Pest Management book available. Dr. P. Eric Wiseman's new book is now available to purchase, or at Virginia Tech's Newman Library.
Virginia Tech Urban Forestry is lead institution in stormwater research highlighted on the Discovery Channel Online . More information on stormwater research...
Virginia Urban Street Tree Selector Find trees that fit your planting site and to share your experiences with trees in your city or town. We are continuing to add trees and photos. We welcome photo contributions.
Virginia Tech Campus Tree Inventory - take the tour!
We gratefully acknowledge the assistance of the USDA Forest Service through an Urban & Community Forestry Assistance Grant. 