Pennsylvania Tree Farm Program

In Pennsylvania, the Tree Farm program is sponsored by the Pennsylvania Forestry Association. Decisions concerning the management of the program are made by the Pennsylvania Tree Farm Committee. The committee is made up of representatives from forest industry, the Bureau of Forestry, consulting foresters, tree farmers, Penn State Cooperative Extension, and Penn State School of Forest Resources. The committee currently meets four times a year. Their primary responsibility is to promote Tree Farming and sustainable forestry as well as coordinate the Tree Farm inspection process each year. The state is divided into six areas with each area being represented by an area chairman. It is the area chairman's responsibility to coordinate training sessions for inspecting foresters and to oversee the Tree Farm inspection procedures in their respective areas.

American Tree Farm System (National Perspective)

Our mission is to promote the growing of renewable forest resources on private lands while protecting environmental benefits and increasing public understanding of the benefits productive forests provide.

The American Tree Farm System® (ATFS), a program of the American Forest Foundation, is committed to sustaining forests, watershed and healthy habitats through the power of private stewardship.

Since 1941, ATFS has educated and recognized the commitment of private forest owners in the United States. Currently, ATFS has 33 million acres of privately owned forestland and 51,000 family forest owners who are committed to excellence in forest stewardship, in 46 states. In Pennsylvania there are currently 980 Tree Farmers with more than 260,000 acres certified in the program.

Tree Farmers share a unique commitment to protect wildlife habitat and watersheds, to conserve soil and to provide recreation for their communities while producing wood for America and the world. These individuals hold the key to the kinds of forests, forest activities and forest resources future generations of Americans will enjoy.

ATFS has established standards and guidelines for property owners to meet to become a certified Tree Farm. Under these standards and guidelines private forest landowners must have a management plan developed for their wood lot and visit with an ATFS certified volunteer tree farm inspector on a five year cycle.

Water. Wildlife. Recreation. Wood. The four sides of the Tree Farm sign tell the story of sustainable forestry ... a thriving forestland that has clean water, a healthy wildlife habitat and recreational opportunities. Our green and white diamond shaped Tree Farm signs are widely recognized across the country.

ATFS: dedicated to putting more good forestry on more acres and keeping it there intergenerationally.