Forestry and forestry research are confronted with a problem which is less pronounced in other fields: the length of time during which the processes must be observed and the long production times. These facts give rise to a number of specific features. Due to the rapid cultural, economic and social changes, questions to be answered by forestry research are dated by the time results are available. On the other hand, it is almost impossible to predict future developments and to adapt the research accordingly. The result is that the further development of forestry research as well as of forest management must concentrate on questions which encompass a broad spectrum of possible developments. This is demonstrated by new research plots for topics concerning continuous forest cover, montane spruce forests, chestnut coppices and the application of new methods and techniques.