Georgia is the #1 forestry state in the nation.

Georgia’s Arbor Day is the ideal time to celebrate the champions among us – Champion Trees, that is! The Champion Tree Program is a vital initiative that highlights the tallest and most majestic trees across the state. In a recent conversation on GFC’s podcast, The Forestry Forum, our Urban Forestry Specialist Dave Long shared insights … Continue Reading →

Blog by: Justin Brown, Georgia Forestry Commission Rural Fire Defense Coordinator Every rural fire department has a story—of volunteers stepping up, neighbors helping neighbors, and communities built on resilience. For decades, the Rural Fire Defense Program has played a vital role in those stories, helping protect lives, homes, and Georgia’s natural landscapes. Today, we’re working … Continue Reading →

Fighting Fire. Protecting Forests. Serving Georgia. – WE ARE GFC! The words “first responder” bring to mind images of ambulances, EMT’s, and fire trucks screaming up to a blazing house fire or highway wreck. The brave men and women who perform these services are heroes of uncommon ability. Yet there’s another group of first responders you … Continue Reading →

From Georgia’s Coastal Plain to the Piedmont and into the foothills, the closure of pulp mills has changed how forests must be grown. While the economic effects are easy to see, another shift is happening at the forest level: pine seedling genetics matter more than ever. For decades, pulp mills provided a dependable market for … Continue Reading →

At the Georgia Forestry Commission, we think December is pretty special. Not only is it the time for traditional holiday celebrations, it is also a time when TREES are in the spotlight! Many Georgians are choosing live Christmas trees over manufactured ones this year. Besides the marvelous fragrance a live Christmas tree provides, you can … Continue Reading →

Autumn is well underway, and with it come falling leaves and rising wildfire risk. It’s a busy period for the Georgia Forestry Commission, because dry, windy conditions can give flames the upper hand, especially in north Georgia. Urban expansion into forested areas can complicate matters. That’s why we’re sharpening our defense with strategic planning. GFC … Continue Reading →

If fall is your favorite season of the year, you’re likely smiling already. Cooler weather, fall foliage, and pumpkin spice lattes (sorry) are here. Autumn is a special time at GFC because we get to spotlight Georgia trees’ amazing foliage spectacle. Hardwood trees, notably in the northern part of our state, enter the “leaf senescence” … Continue Reading →

In 1925, Americans were smack dab in the middle of a “roaring” decade. They danced the Charleston, walked the line of Prohibition, and heard-tell of an invention that would come to be television. In Georgia, there was also important action on behalf of the state’s multi-million acres of pine trees. It was 100 years ago … Continue Reading →

Did you know that trees play a big part in the delivery of clean water to your faucets? We examined that important relationship on the Georgia Forestry Forum podcast. Listen here, and/or read the highlights below: The Critical Role of Forest Management in Water Quality The symbiotic relationship between forest management and water quality is … Continue Reading →