Genetic diversity represents a substantial component of biodiversity and should be considered in strategies of sustainable silviculture. In turn, studies on neutral genetic diversity may help to better understand historical or contemporary processes in forest trees. That such knowledge is relevant for current silvicultural practice is illustrated with examples from own research and the literature. On the other hand, central European forestry practices are hardly evaluated empirically for their effects on neutral genetic diversity in forest trees. Likewise, there is only limited knowledge on specific gene variation and its effects on the phenotype and fitness of trees, despite intensive research involving manifold genomic tools. While genome research helps to better understand gene functions, its implementation for marker-assisted breeding or even genetic modifications of trees does not comply with sustainable silviculture. In conclusion, insights from the study of genetic diversity advocate the protection and promotion of natural processes, which is perfectly in line with widely accepted and applied silvicultural practices in Switzerland.