forestry

American  

[fawr-uh-stree, for-] / ˈfɔr ə stri, ˈfɒr- /

noun

1. the science of planting and taking care of trees and forests.

2. the process of establishing and managing forests; forestation.

3. forestland.

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forestry British  

/ ˈfɒrɪstrɪ /

noun

1. the science of planting and caring for trees

2. the planting and management of forests

3. rare forest land

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forestry Scientific  

/ fôr′ĭ-strē /

1. The scientific study of the cultivation, maintenance, and management of forests.

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Etymology

Origin of forestry

From the Middle French word foresterie, dating back to 1685–95. See forest, -ry

Explanation

The practice of managing or caring for woodlands is known as forestry. If you like the sound of all of those trees, some jobs associated with forestry include conservationist, park ranger, and timber manager. The word forestry, defined in the 17th century as "privilege of a royal forest," comes from the Medieval Latin forestem silvam, "the outside woods." By the mid-1800s, the word began to be used for "science of managing forests," a meaning it still holds today. The term actually covers a lot of (heavily forested) ground, including preserving endangered trees, protecting the habitats of animals that depend on forests, and keeping humans safe from forest fires.

Related Words

• afforestation