Forestry Judging | Tennessee 4-H Youth Development

The Tennessee 4-H Forestry Judging Contest gives youth hands-on experience in forestry and forest management. Participants learn to identify native Tennessee trees by their twigs, fruit, and wood, as well as recognize common forest insects and diseases. They also practice measuring trees, using a compass, and applying basic geometry to real-world forest settings. This contest encourages curiosity about Tennessee’s natural resources and helps youth understand the important role forests play in daily life.

TN Forestry Study Manual

National Study Manual

About the Contest

This contest is open to 4-H members in the 4th to 12th grade, as of January 1st of the current year. The top four senior teams from each region will advance to the state contest. Please check the regional calendar for the exact date and location.

Teams consist of three or four members.
The top three individual scores are combined for the team total.

At the regional contest, members will participate in tree identification, wood identification (senior high only), insect and disease identification, tree measurement, compass traverse (senior high only), and pacing (junior high). Forest evaluation is added to the contest at the state level. Forest evaluation is a team event in which the team works together to evaluate a site, the stand, the forest inventory, and the recommended management practices needed for a given situation.

The state contest takes place during Fall Judging Day on the University of Tennessee, Knoxville campus each year, typically held in October, giving 4-H members the chance to showcase their skills and connect with others from across the state.

The top-placing team in the state contest will advance to the National 4-H Forestry Invitational, held in late summer, in Weston, West Virginia.

Partial funds to attend the National 4-H Forestry Invitational for the champion team
Medallions for members of the champion team.