The Four National Forests of Texas
The forests are maintained and protected by a joint effort of the Texas Forest Service and U.S. Forest Service.
BRIT Collections
Botanical Research Institute of Texas | Fort Worth Botanic Garden
Plant specimen (2021-03-10) by Erin FlinchbaughBRIT Collections
Texas hosts four national forests.
Angelina, Davy Crockett, Sam Houston, and Sabine National Forests are maintained and protected by a joint effort of the Texas Forest Service and U.S. Forest Service. The Texas legislature approved a resolution to create the four National Forests in Texas in 1934.
The forests are managed under ecosystem management concept plans, which focus on sustainable conditions that protect wildlife. While the forests were over-cut previously, the current timber management plan allows them to be a sustainable renewal resource.
Plant specimen (1891)BRIT Collections
At the time of acquisition, the forests had been severely over-cut and their commercial timber sold off, and extensive conservation plans were drawn up.
Timber near Southern Pine Lumber Company sawmill, 1907
Thanks to this work in the 1930s, the forests boast second-growth and third-growth trees. Conservation and forest management plans help ensure a healthy biodiversity is maintained in each forest.
Angelina National Forest: Nestled in the heart of the Pineywoods of East Texas, Angelina National Forest spans over 153,000 acres of lush pine forests, hardwood bottoms, and beautiful waterways.
Longleaf Pine
The most dominant tree in Angelina National Forest is the Longleaf Pine (Pinus palustris).
Davy Crockett National Forest: Named after the legendary frontiersman Davy Crockett, this forest encompasses approximately 160,000 acres of diverse terrain in East Texas, including piney woods, upland forests, and rolling hills. Davy Crockett National Forest is predominately hardwood trees, accounting for 66% of the land. 26 percent of the area is composed of shortleaf and loblolly pine.
White Oak
A common tree in Davy Crockett National Forest is the White Oak (Quercus alba) .
Quercus alba Herbarium Specimen
Sabine National Forest: Spanning across the border between Texas and Louisiana, Sabine National Forest covers over 160,000 acres of picturesque landscapes dominated by pine and hardwood forests, scenic rivers, and tranquil lakes. The area is the Eastern-most of the four national forests in Texas and is on the western slopes of the Sabine River watershed.
American Beech
American beech (Fagus grandifolia) grows throughout the Sabine National Forest.
Fagus grandifolia Herbarium Specimen
Sam Houston National Forest: Situated 50 miles north of Houston, Sam Houston National Forest comprises over 163,000 acres of rolling hills, dense forests, and peaceful waterways.
Southern Red Oak
Southern red oak trees (Quercus falcata) grow in the uplands of Sam Houston National Forest.
The Four National Forests of Texas
Story created by Alyssa Kosyaem, Philecology Herbarium, Botanical Research Institute of Texas and Fort Worth Botanic Garden.
United States Forest Service & United States Department of Agriculture. "Angelina National Forest." https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/texas/about-forest/districts/?cid=fswdev3_008439
United States Forest Service & United States Department of Agriculture. "Davy Crockett National Forest." https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/texas/about-forest/districts/?cid=fswdev3_008441
United States Forest Service & United States Department of Agriculture. "Sabine National Forest." https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/texas/about-forest/districts/?cid=fswdev3_008442
United States Forest Service & United States Department of Agriculture. "Sam Houston National Forest." https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/texas/about-forest/districts/?cid=fswdev3_008443
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