The American Tree Farm System is a nationwide community of more than 87,000 individuals and families joined by their desire for excellence in forest stewardship. These landowners share a commitment to protect watersheds and wildlife habitat, to conserve soil and provide recreation for their neighbors, and at the same time to produce the wood that America needs for thousands of useful products.

More than 58% of the productive forests in America are owned by ordinary citizens -- not government or industry. These 9.9 million forest owners hold the key to just what kind of forests future generations of Americans will enjoy.

Florida currently has 708 certified Tree Farms, accounting for 606,769 acres of land.

To qualify for Tree Farm certification, woodlands must be:

• 10 acres or more
• Under management, with a written and implemented plan that accounts for water quality, wildlife habitat, soil conservation and biodiversity, as well as production of forest products
• protected from fire, insects, disease, and destructive grazing
• reforested in a timely manner after harvesting

Tree Farmers must make good-faith efforts to:

• protect special sites and consider forest aesthetics
• dispose of slash in an environmentally sound manner
• use chemicals prudently
• contract with licensed and insured loggers and forest management contractors

If you would like additional information on Tree Farm certification in Florida, or if you meet the qualifications outlined above and want to have your property inspected, please refer to the map of districts (PDF) for the appropriate contact person in your area, or e-mail us at phil@forestfla.org.

For more information about the benefits of Tree Farming and the American Tree Farm System, visit www.treefarmsystem.org.