In Forestry, players take on the role of forest stewards dedicated to sustainable forest management. The game challenges players to balance the demands of resource collection and contract fulfillment with the need for environmental stewardship. Every action taken has a lasting impact on the health of the forest, and players are encouraged to make responsible choices, from planting new trees to regulating waterways for optimal moisture retention. Drawing on the experiences of real-life foresters, Forestry offers a realistic and informative look at forestry work, making it both engaging and enlightening.

Like Eurogames focused on strategic stock management, Forestry is based on a dual-worker system in which players control a harvester and a manager, each with distinct responsibilities. The harvester moves through the forest, felling trees to meet contractual requirements, replanting saplings, building infrastructure, and regulating water retention to promote a healthy ecosystem. Meanwhile, the manager oversees resource collection, operates the sawmill buildings, fulfills contracts, and optimizes wood processing. Players must carefully distribute action points among these workers to make sustainable choices, improve infrastructure, and ensure the forest thrives while meeting demand.