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Forestry

Students majoring in forestry are working to ensure the sustainability one of society's most vital natural resources. This major addresses both the scientific and human elements of forest ecosystem management, and you'll learn about the life cycle and management of hundreds of tree species. You'll graduate with a sense of stewardship and land-use ethics, and be prepared to take an active role in finding new and better ways to conserve, use, and sustain the world's vital forest resources. Students majoring in forestry take courses in the following core areas: forest science, geospatial analysis, environmental economics, and natural resources policy.

Major Options

  • Forest operations and business
  • Forest resources management
  • Urban forestry

Forest operations and business

Fire ecology and management, forest biometrics, soil management, forest harvesting, timber procurement, forest management, accounting, business writing, and business law and ethics.

Forest resources management

Fire ecology and management, forest biometrics, forestry field skills, outdoor recreation management, forest harvesting, forest boundaries, soil management, forest pest management, accounting, chemistry, and physical science.

Urban forestry

Urban forest management, forest and tree pests, soil, horticulture, landscape architecture, urban affairs, and physical science.

Career options

  • Consulting forester
  • Extension agent
  • Forest biologist
  • Forest entomologist
  • Forest manager
  • Forest technician
  • Government forester
  • Landowner assistance forester
  • Natural resources planning and policy advisor
  • Procurement forester
  • Urban forester/plant health care technician
  • Wildland firefighter

Contacts

For prospective undergraduate students

John Gray Williams

540-231-4909
jghokie@vt.edu
138 Cheatham Hall

For current Virginia Tech students

Jarek Campbell

540-231-0956

jarek@vt.edu

138 Cheatham Hall

For all others

Joe Knight

540-232-2052

jfknight@vt.edu

313 Cheatham Hall