Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Forestry

09/04/2026

🌳 Ohio’s Tree Farm of the Year Tour is next week!

Join us Saturday, Sept. 12, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Working Woods Learning Forest at Holden Arboretum.

Explore Ohio’s 2026 Tree Farm of the Year and enjoy presentations and activities covering forest management, wildlife habitat, invasive species, forest health, research and more!

The event is free, but pre-registration is required.

📍 Holden Arboretum, Kirtland
🔗 Learn more and register: https://holdenfg.org/events/holden-arboretum/tree-farm-tour/

09/03/2026

☀️ Summer may be winding down, but there’s still plenty of time to get outside and explore!

🌳 Check out the latest issue of ’s Tree-rific Newsletter for simple ways to make the most of these final summer days. Inside, you’ll find engaging activities and resources for all ages, plus a sneak peek at a few upcoming fall events!

📬 Didn’t receive the newsletter in your inbox?
Subscribe today: https://bit.ly/PLTOhio
You can read the current issue here: https://canva.link/qru813gmmcq39jx

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09/02/2026

🕵️‍♀️Think you know your Ohio trees? 🕵️‍♀️
Put your knowledge to the test with a fun game of guess who! 🔍
Swipe through each clue and see if you can identify the tree before the big reveal! 🌳

09/01/2026

08/31/2026

While flowers are important for many butterflies and moths, so are trees! 🌷🌳

Many butterfly and moth species rely on different trees for food, shelter, and especially host plants for their baby caterpillars. 🐛🌿

Planting these native trees can help to create a valuable habitat for these species as well as other pollinators in your own backyard! 🦋🐝

08/28/2026

🌳 American Chestnut: Part 1 | A Giant of Ohio’s Forests
The American chestnut was once an important part of forests across the eastern United States, including Ohio.
Historically, American chestnut was found primarily in the eastern half of Ohio, particularly on ridges and slopes with well-drained, acidic soils. Some grew to impressive sizes. Historical survey records from southeastern Ohio documented chestnuts averaging 21 inches in diameter, with one recorded at a massive five feet in diameter.
But the tree’s importance wasn’t just about size.
American chestnuts were reliable producers of nuts, with a mature tree capable of producing up to 6,000 in a year(I don’t know the number per tree but can easy see this and more from what I collect) . Those sweet, carbohydrate-rich chestnuts provided an important food source for wildlife and people alike.
The wood was also harvested for everything from furniture and musical instruments to crates and caskets. A tree that was told to provide from cradle to grave.
So, what happened to these once-mighty trees?

Stay tuned for Part 2.

08/27/2026

🌳💧 August is National Water Quality Month — and trees are doing more than you think!

🏡Did you know trees do so much more than offer shade on hot days? They help cool our cities, protect our waterways, filter our drinking water, and keep our communities healthier overall.

🌧️Trees filter and store water
🌳 Roots prevent erosion and protect waterways
💦 Leaves release water v***r that cools surrounding air
🫗 Forests help maintain clean drinking water sources

🔎Want to explore these connections at school or home? Check out PLT’s hands-on resources like:
💧 Water Wonders: https://www.plt.org/activity-resources/grades-3-5-activity-water-wonders/
🌲 Forests, Water, People Activity Collection: https://www.plt.org/forests-water-people-activity-collection/

Let’s celebrate the forests that keep our water clean, our air cool, and our communities thriving. 💙🌎💚

08/27/2026

The Working Woods Learning Forest at the Holden Arboretum has been awarded the 2026 Ohio Tree Farm of the Year award! 🌳

To celebrate this accomplishment, we invite you to join us on Saturday, September 12 at the Working Woods Learning Forest for a day packed with guided walking tours, educational talks, live demonstrations, interactive displays, and dedicated kids’ activities. Come explore key forestry topics, including: woodland management, forest health, wildlife & habitat, harvesting & research.

Learn more about this celebration through the link: https://holdenfg.org/events/holden-arboretum/tree-farm-tour/

08/25/2026

🌳 Calling Ohio seed collectors!

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Forestry is looking to purchase select native tree and shrub seeds from professional seed collectors this fall for the Buckeye State Tree Nursery.

We are seeking:

🌰 Bur Oak
🌰 Swamp White Oak
🌰 White Oak
🌰 Shagbark Hickory
🌰 Shellbark Hickory
🌲 Eastern White Pine
🌸 American Plum – cleaned and floated, or as fruit
🌳 American Persimmon –cleaned and floated, or as fruit

Seed must be collected in Ohio and labeled with the county where it was collected. A leaf sample is preferred when available.

Before delivery, seed must be:
• Free of debris, including caps and husks
• Processed for viability using the floating method
• Hickory seed must be dehusked
• Bur oak does not need to be decapped


Interested in collecting seed for the Division of Forestry? Contact us to learn more about purchasing requirements and arrangements at [email protected].

****Update*****

• There is a 25 lbs minimum for all species except American plum (min. 10 lbs)

• Vendors must be able to provide an invoice to the Division of Forestry. Payments can be made immediately by credit card, or checks can be processed and mailed within up to 20 business days.

• The Division of Forestry reserves the right to refuse seeds.

• The Division of Forestry will only be accepting limited quantities of seeds; it is recommended to call and confirm that the nursery is still accepting seeds.

08/24/2026

Here's some upcoming information on the annual Tree Farm of the Year Tour.

Register here: holdenfg.org/events/holden-arboretum/tree-farm-tour/