Old Flat State Forest
Old Flat State Forest is a state forest in Grayson County, Virginia, near the town of Whitetop. The forest is used for research, education, and as a seed orchard.
Landscape and topography
The majority of the forest lies above and reaches just over at its highest point. It has the highest elevation among Virginia's state forests and at the highest point constitutes a boreal forest-type environment with red spruce being in abundance, making it unique among Virginia's state forests. Descending in elevation, stands of spruce, yellow birch, and sugar maple are plentiful. At lower elevations, maple, northern red oak, birch, and yellow buckeye predominate the landscape.History
The land that comprises the state forest was acquired in a land swap between the Virginia Department of Forestry and the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. Previously, the land was part of Grayson Highlands State Park. In exchange for the Old Flat parcel, the Virginia DOF traded land to the DCR for what is now Holliday Lake State Park.VDOF acquired the parcel to create a seed orchard for Fraser fir trees, which are native to the highest elevations of the forest but had been declining in recent years. In addition to protecting the species, the orchard provides seeds to area Christmas tree producers.