The University Forest is composed of the following three forests:
The Kasuya Research Forest (481ha) is located in towns of Sasaguri and Hisayama, Fukuoka Prefecture, about 32km east of the Ito campus of Kyushu University. Over 60% of the forest area is covered by plantation forests, and the rest of forest area are natural forests consist of warm-temperate evergreen trees. The Sawara Training Forest (32 ha) located along the western Hakata Bay in Fukuoka City, in which Pinus sp. is dominant species, is comprised in the Kasuya Research Forest.
The Shiiba Research Forest (2,917ha) is located in Shiiba Village, Miyazaki Prefecture, the central area of Kyushu mountain ranges. The forest area is mainly covered by natural forests consist of the mixed forest of deciduous broadleaf trees and conifers. Only 18% of forest area is occupied by plantation forest.
The Ashoro Research Forest (3,711ha) is located in Ashoro Town, eastern Hokkaido. About 60% of forest area is covered by natural forests consist of cool-temperate deciduous broadleaf trees. The rest of forest area is occupied by plantation forests.
These forests covered major vegetation zones in the Japanese archipelago are utilized not only for the educations and researches on forest sciences but also biology, environmental sciences, and so on. They are also utilized for hands-on learning programs for citizens and children.