Reforest Prince William

While continuing to rezone to increase housing density and build data centers, Prince William County is also taking steps to address decades of loss of precious forestland. A re-forestation program called Reforest PWC has been getting started in the past two years.

Tree canopies play a crucial role in supporting environmental and human health. A tree canopy shades the ground below, providing a continuous cover created by the branches and foliage of multiple trees. Tree canopies provide shade, sheltering wildlife, regulating temperatures (through shade and evapotranspiration), intercepting rainfall, and contributing to air purification by absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen through photosynthesis. In urban environments, the tree canopy improves the overall environmental quality by reducing heat and stormwater flow.

Yet, Virginians continue to lose trees at an alarming rate. Virginia’s tree canopy decreased 19% from 2001-2023. The research shows that Prince William County and Loudoun County have lost nearly 5,400 acres of tree canopy to development from 2014-2021; the construction data centers, housing developments, road expansions and electrical transmission lines. The loss of tree canopies diminishes our environment’s capacity to filter water pollutants and reduce air pollution and smog and maintain the functioning of our essential Occoquan Watershed.

In 2023, the Reforest PWC program began as an opportunity for residents to reforest their own property with free trees and labor provided by the County. Reforest PWC has already been responsible for the planting of over 44,000 trees across large tracts of land in the County, most of it privately owned. This has resulted in over 48 acres of new permanent wildlife habitat being created (though a fraction of what was removed by development). This is just the beginning. With sufficient funding, tens of thousands more trees are planned for planting over the next decade, and community participation will play a vital role in achieving this goal.

Calling All Residents

The biggest challenge for this program is finding both suitable land and receptive landowners to begin the reforestation process. However, once a favorable consultation determines the project is a good match, the actual installation of the trees is completely free. Any eligible landowner in the county can participate in the program, provided there is sufficient planting space on their property. Ideal locations often consist of half-acre to multiple acre lots with large sections of lawn or grassland. These types of sites allow sufficient sunlight for newly planted trees to grow and establish quickly, generating new healthy forests in a shorter amount of time.

Why Reforest?

Reforestation provides many benefits to homeowners, beginning with significant time and cost savings. For example homes located in the former Rural Crescent areas of Nokesville and Haymarket include up to ten acres of recently converted farm fields that require frequent mowing. If a homeowner hires a local landscaping company, this maintenance can cost approximately hundreds of dollars per week, or up to $12,000 for the growing season. By contrast, a forest requires limited maintenance for forest health once established. No mowing, no fertilizing, and less lawn to rake means more time and money saved.

Forested areas of a property offer additional advantages as well. Forests help protect viewsheds and privacy, increase property values, reduce road noise, act as wind buffers for exposed properties, help filter well water, provide valuable wildlife habitat, and prevent erosion. When it comes to improving a property, reforestation is one of the best long-term investments a landowner can make, offering a strong return over time. This is especially true given that the Reforest PWC program is completely free for eligible landowners in Prince William County.

What is the Process?

The application process begins with an in-person, onsite meeting with the County Arborist to determine whether a property is a good candidate for reforestation. If the site qualifies and the landowner agrees to participate, a planting date is scheduled for either fall or spring, depending on availability. County-supervised contractors then plant approximately 450 to 600 native trees per acre, as site conditions allow.

The species mix includes a diverse selection of native deciduous and evergreen trees, with a balance of overstory and understory species, as well as shrubs. This intentional diversity supports long-term ecological resilience, enhances wildlife habitat, and restores the layered structure of a natural forest. A varied species mix is also more resilient to climate change, invasive species, and extreme weather events, helping ensure these reforestation efforts endure for decades to come.

What’s the Catch?

Naturally, a reforestation program of this scale may seem too good to be true. With an estimated planting value of approximately $10,000 per acre, this is no small investment. While such an offer may raise questions or skepticism, Reforest PWC is truly 100% free for all County residents.

After agreeing to participate in an onsite planting project, the landowner signs a Memorandum of Understanding committing to keep the planted forest area undisturbed in the future, including no mowing or construction. This agreement does not place the property under a formal easement or impose a legally binding land use classification that would affect future resale. Rather, it represents a good-faith commitment by the landowner to protect a valuable ecological investment that will benefit the County for generations to come.

A Future Rooted in Restoration

Reforest PWC is a forward-thinking investment in the landscapes we all share. It restores what has been lost, protects what we have left, and builds a legacy of good environmental stewardship for generations to come. By participating today, you help shape a greener, healthier, and more resilient future for Prince William County. The best time to plant a tree may have been 100 years ago, but the next best time is always today. It is never too late to take action for the good of our environment.

How to Apply

To learn more about eligibility or to start the application process, residents are encouraged to apply via this link. After submitting your application, staff will contact you to arrange a site visit to your property. We look forward to partnering with our residents to restore and grow new forests throughout the County.