The teaching of forestry-related subjects at the University of Tartu began in the 19th century. A key historical milestone in the establishment of the Department of Forest Management and Wood Industry was March 10, 1920, when the University of Tartu's Temporary Council appointed Andres Mathiesen as a lecturer in forestry and geodesy. The Department of Forestry at the University of Tartu commenced its activities in 1920, and already at that time, the curriculum included a range of subjects that continue to play a significant role in the education of forestry students today. From 1920 to 1945, the department’s academic staff included A. Mathiesen, K. Veermets, B. Haller, J. Vitsut, A. Pavlov, E. Ant, P. Viidik, R. Kask, and A. Hansen. The department offered courses in forest inventory, forest valuation, forest management, forest governance, forest utilization, forest road construction, forestry technology, timber trade, and dendrology.
On May 4, 1946, the Collegium of the Ministry of Forestry of the Estonian SSR recognized the need to establish a department of forest management and wood industry at Tartu State University’s Faculty of Forestry starting from the 1946/1947 academic year. It was planned to admit 50 students to the department of forest management and 25 students to the wood industry department.
In 1946, the Department of Forestry and Geodesy was reorganized into the Department of Forest Inventory, led by Elmar Saar (1946–1947) and Teodor Krigul (1947–1952). To accommodate the needs of students in the wood industry specialization, three departments were established within the wood industry division: the Department of Mechanization and Land Transport (headed by Valdek Ritslaid), the Department of Motor Vehicles and Machine Engineering (headed by Boris Saimre), and the Department of Engineering Structures (headed by Nikolai Oll). Additionally, a Department of Wood Technology (acting head: Teodor Krigul) was created within the Department of Forest Management. In 1948, the Department of Wood Technology was merged with the Department of Mechanization and Land Transport.
In 1951, the Estonian Agricultural Academy was established, drawing upon the faculties of Tartu State University. The Department of Forest Inventory was reorganized in 1952 into two divisions: the Department of Forest Economics and Forest Management (headed by Nikolai Gräzin) and the Department of Forest Inventory (headed by Teodor Krigul). These departments were merged in 1955 into the Department of Forest Management and Economics (headed by Nikolai Gräzin). In 1963, this department was renamed the Department of Forest Management, and the following professors served as heads: Nikolai Gräzin (1963–1969), Artur Nilson (1969–1974), Paul Kurvits (1974–1984), and Mart Vaus (1984–1992).
In 1955, the Department of Mechanization and Land Transport was merged with the Department of Construction Mechanics and Engineering Structures to form the Department of Construction Mechanics and Forest Transport (headed by Nikolai Kalter). In 1958, the department was renamed the Department of Construction Mechanics. The Department of Motor Vehicles and Machine Engineering was transferred to the Faculty of Agricultural Mechanization. In 1960, the wood industry specialization was discontinued.
In 1989, the wood industry specialization was reopened. In 1992, the Department of Forest Management was divided into the Departments of Forest Management and Forest Technology. In 1994, the departments were renamed the Institutes of Forest Management and Wood Industry, and in 2005, they became the Departments of Forest Management and Wood Industry. In 2017, the Departments of Forest Management and Wood Industry were consolidated into the Chair of Forest Management and Wood Industry. In 2021, the Department of Geomatics merged with the Chair, and the name was changed to the Chair of Forest and Land Management and Wood Industry.
Prominent academics who have contributed to or currently work in the Chair of Forest and Land Management and Wood Industry (and its predecessors) include Andres Mathiesen, Kaarel Veermets, Olev Henno, Ivar Etverk, Tiit Nilson, Artur Nilson, Aleksandr Astaškin, Peeter Muiste, Andres Kiviste, Henn Korjus, John A. Stanturf, Steffen M. Noe, Ahto Kangur, and Evelin Jürgenson.
