The Bureau of Forestry offers many publications containing maps and information about recreational opportunities within State Forest lands. Trail maps for hiking, biking, horseback riding, ATV riding, snowmobile riding and many other activities are available.
Requests for publications can be made by contacting the following sections:
Communication and Interpretation (717) 787-2853
Common Trees of Pennsylvania (booklet) Helps identify 62 of Pennsylvania’s most popular trees using line illustrations and descriptions. (single copy requests only)
Forest Pest Suppression: (717) 948-3941
Gypsy Moth Control Options for the Homeowner (brochure) Explains how to avoid damage from the gypsy moth, using prevention as the primary method, and explains use of mechanical and insecticidal methods as secondary options.
Common Insect & Disease Pests of Pennsylvania Forests (booklet) Describes and illustrates common insects and diseases that affect Pennsylvania’s trees. (single copy requests only)
Recreation: (717) 787-2703
State Forest Public Use Maps (maps) Contains in-depth descriptions and maps of Pennsylvania’s state forests, including lists of recreational opportunities and coverage of historically significant facts. State Forest Public Use Maps can be found on each State Forest web page. Find a State Forest.
Hiking Trails in Pennsylvania (index map) Provides the general location of 34 different trails, linking each to an organization that can provide further information on the individual trail system. Many of these maps can be accessed online in the Hiking Trails area.
All-Terrain Vehicle Trail Maps on State Forest Land (map packet) Provides locations of ATV trails on state forest land. ATV maps are also available online in the ATV Map area.
Summary of Pennsylvania's All-Terrain Vehicle Law (brochure) Provides a brief summary of ATV state law and regulations. Also available as a downloadable Adobe PDF file. Summary of Pennsylvania's All-Terrain Vehicle Law - Adobe PDF (210 Kb)
Summary of Pennsylvania’s Snowmobile Laws, Rules, and Regulations (brochure) A summary of rules and regulations for Pennsylvania snowmobilers. These documents are available online in the Snowmobile area.
Snowmobile Trails on State Forest Land (maps) Provides locations of snowmobile trails of state forest land. Snowmobile trail maps are also available online from the Snowmobile Trail Maps and Trail Conditions page.
Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry Districts (map) Outlines the commonwealth’s 20 forest districts.
Rural and Community Forestry: (717) 783-0381
Forest Stewardship (Bulletin Series) Series of 13 easy-to-read booklets providing information to help forest landowners manage their woodlands. Included in the series are issues on timber harvesting, wildlife, planning for the forest’s future, watershed management, estate planning, and more.
Penns Woods: Sustaining Our Forests (booklet) A description of how DCNR’s Bureau of Forestry helps to manage and protect Pennsylvania’s woodlands.
A Handbook for Tree Board Members (booklet) Provides an administrative and management guide on how to plan and implement a tree planting program, establish long-term goals, and work with a variety of organizations. A useful tool for a newly established tree board or a board with many new members.
Forestry: A Community Tradition (report) Addresses the trends in urban and community forestry; highlights accomplishments of the urban and community forestry movement; evaluates the economic, ecological, environmental and social values of forests and trees to communities; and makes recommendations for federal, state, and local governments, and the private sector to enhance urban and community forests.
How to Recognize Hazardous Defects in Trees (brochure) Helps home owners and land managers recognize hazardous defects in trees and suggests possible corrective actions.
How to Prune Trees (brochure) A guide for homeowners and land managers to determine how, when, and why to prune. Provides simple principals to follow to achieve strong, healthy and attractive trees.
Introductory Guide to Urban and Community Forestry Programs (report) Provides basic information on setting up programs to keep tree planting, removal, and maintenance under control.
Street Tree Fact Sheets (booklet) Contains color photographs and fact sheets for hundreds of trees suitable for use as street trees. In addition, the booklet gives advice on procuring, planting and maintaining trees from nurseries. Available from Penn State Publication Distribution Center, 112 Agricultural Administration Bldg., University Park, PA, 16802-2602. Cost $20.00.
Benefits of Urban Trees (book) Provides the reader with information on the benefits of urban trees, such as the reduction of air pollution, the fight against the greenhouse effect, and erosion prevention.
Ecological Services: (717) 787-3444
Invasive Plants in Pennsylvania - Adobe PDF (120 Kb) This brochure is formatted to print on 11" x 17" paper. It will print on letter size, but the text will be small.
Landscaping with Native Plants in Pennsylvania - Adobe PDF (1.6 Mb) This brochure is formatted to print on 11" x 17" paper. It will print on letter size, but the text will be small.
Forest Fire Protection: (717) 787-2925
Wildfires in Pennsylvania (brochure) Explains when and why most wildfires occur in Pennsylvania.
Wildland/Urban Interface Guidance Document Assists the builder, developer, woodland home community associations, and local government entities in assessing the potential dangers of a wildfire. Also helps developing a plan of action in cooperation with local emergency services.
DCNR Home Contact DCNR Privacy Policy Security Policy PA Home