The foundation of the institute its activities traditionally are connected with the boreal forests. Over the years, outstanding scientists of Russian forests worked for the institute. Such as academician V.N. Sukachev, professors M.E. Tkachenko, V.V. Guman, A.D. Oaks, N.V. Tretyakov, L.F. Pravdin, N.E. Dekatov, associates V.G. Kapper, P.P. Serebrennikov. Z.Y. Solntsev and others.