Peak color arrives in the Grayson Highlands! 😍🍁 The Allegheny and Blue Ridge Mountains aren't far behind. This weekend–early November will offer great leaf-peeping in the mountains. The rest of Virginia is still fairly green, but peak color will inevitably spread.

It's Forest Products Week, celebrating Virginia's third-largest industry! Today, state officials visited Conway-Robinson State Forest to discuss projects, the benefits of state forests & how DOF manages resources to support forest industry. Learn more: ow.ly/pwbY50ZZ9b5

Green remains the dominant color on most of Virginia's landscape. Fall color varies in the western region, with individual mountains and ridges ranging from entirely green to near peak, sometimes right next to each other. Read more in the full report: ow.ly/heeV50ZYi06

Fall brings cooler temperatures and colorful fall foliage, but it also brings an increased risk of wildfires due to dry conditions, low humidity and fallen leaves, which act as a ready fuel source. Now through Nov. 30, use extra caution with outdoor fires: ow.ly/vnlQ50ZXZ4x

DOF's online seedling store is open! 🌱🛒 Shop nearly 70 tree and shrub species, all grown at DOF's nurseries: BuyVATrees.com. Place your order soon—some species sell out quickly! Orders are fulfilled in the spring and can be shipped or picked up from our nursery.

The weather cooled off this week, and noticeable color changes seemed to happen overnight in parts of Virginia’s mountains. 🍁🍂 🏔️ A few high-elevation areas are already reaching "partial" color! Read the full report on our website: ow.ly/9rqC50ZW5Fl

Just 5️⃣ days remain to drop off your acorns, walnuts and chestnuts‼️🌰🗓️ The Oct. 11 deadline is necessary so we can plant all of the seeds before temperatures drop. Thank you to everyone who has already donated seeds! Find a drop-off location near you: ow.ly/QE6C50ZV8J4

This week's warmer temperatures have limited the development of fall colors, so our updated map looks similar to last week's. The mountains are starting to show patches of fall color, but overall, the landscape remains mostly verdant. Read the full report: ow.ly/NUfN50ZTXFq

Standing dead trees, also known as snags, are basically hotels for insects, birds, mammals and other wildlife. To learn more, we stopped by this snag at Sandy Point State Forest in King William County to interview a guest... but they were a little shy. 🦎

Feel that chill in the air? Fall is definitely here, and we're ready with our first fall foliage report of 2026! 🍃🍁📄 Visit our website to see the seasonal outlook, read this week's report and find resources to plan your fall adventures: ow.ly/kM3550ZRnUI

Want to see forestry in action? Join us for a Fall Woods & Wildlife Field Tour! 🍁🌳 📍 Montgomery County – Oct. 20 📍 Franklin County – Oct. 21 📍 Orange County – Oct. 22 (Full! Waitlist available) 📍 Hanover County – Oct. 23 Details and registration: ow.ly/KPaH50ZNYSr

We need your help collecting acorns and walnuts so we can plant more trees! 🌳 Please note: We've adjusted the drop-off sites this year, removing some DOF offices and adding new partner locations. Learn more and find your nearest drop-off location: ow.ly/oVF750ZLukg

Paw paw trees (Asimina triloba) are now fruiting! 🍐😋 Look for these native trees and their yummy fruit in understory areas with moist, well-drained soils, typically along rivers. Ripe fruit is yellow to brown and comes off the tree easily. Tag your paw paw picking partners!

Did you know that nearly half of the water we drink starts its journey in forests? 🌳🚿💧 Forested watersheds help reduce erosion, regulate water flows and support clean, reliable water supplies. So, let's raise a glass (of water) to our forests this #NationalWaterQualityMonth!

Excited for views like these? 🍁😍 Our popular fall foliage reports will resume in late September. Follow us for weekly foliage updates on your feed — a great resource for planning fall adventures! 🔜 📆

Last week, DOF and local firefighters responded to a 300-acre wildfire in Accomack County. While crews stopped the flames from spreading on land, a SEAT plane dropped water on inaccessible areas and monitored from the sky. Thanks to these efforts, no structures were damaged.

What’s eating your trees? 🌳🐛👀 If you see tents or web nests, the perpetrator is the fall webworm, a common native defoliator. Although their activity can be an eyesore, healthy trees regrow their foliage without issue, and these caterpillars are a great snack for birds. 🍽️🐦

First appearing on a poster in August of 1944, @smokey_bear is now celebrating 82 years of wildfire prevention. Looking for the perfect gift idea? Help Smokey celebrate by following his wildfire prevention tips: smokeybear.com/. Happy Birthday, Smokey Bear! 🎉🐻