forestry

noun

for·​est·​ry ˈfȯr-ə-strē 

ˈfär-

1

: forestland

2

a

: the science of developing, caring for, or cultivating forests

b

: the management of growing timber

Did you know?

This is the management of forested land, along with associated waters and wasteland, primarily for harvesting timber, but also for conservation and recreation purposes. The harvesting and replanting of timber are the primary activities of forestry, and the main objective is to maintain a continuous supply of timber through carefully planned harvest and replacement. The forest manager is also responsible for the application of other land controls, including the protection of wildlife and the protection of forests from weeds, insects, fungal diseases, erosion, and fire. The planned management of forests originated in early medieval Europe, where laws regulated the felling of timber and the use of forests for hunting. In 1891 the US government authorized its first reserves of forested land.

Examples of forestry in a Sentence

She studied forestry in college.

Recent Examples on the Web

Despite reforestation efforts in Scandinavia, Dahl says extensive logging has led to the decline of some plant and animal species, and argues that Nordic forestry companies need to adapt their management practices to ensure nature remains protected as demand for wood increases. —Maddy Savage, TIME, 18 Jan. 2025

Forest Product Innovations, a research group funded by the Canadian forestry industry, has been working with Forterra to implement leader-follower platooning so that one driver can move more freight. —Richard Bishop, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025

For other tasks like calculating timber volume, tree age and health, and measuring tree diameter, Ramsay uses specialized forestry devices like a tree boring tool and loggers tape. —Katie Bradish, Outside Online, 15 Jan. 2025

The state's forestry protection area is concentrated mostly in the southern and eastern portions of rural Ohio and doesn't include Cuyahoga County. —Troy Smith, Axios, 10 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1823, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

forestry

noun

for·​est·​ry ˈfȯr-ə-strē 

ˈfär-

: the science and practice of caring for forests