The birth of forestry in America: Biltmore Forest School, 1898-1913

by Carl A. Schenck

Published in 1974, this book provides a personal, firsthand account of Carl Alwin Schenck's work and the founding of the Biltmore Forest School in 1898. Born and educated in Germany, Schenck was among the first to advocate that the scientific principles of forestry should be applied to the woodlands of the United States. His work—along with that of Bernard Eduard Fenrow and Gifford Pichot—was foundational in the shaping of professional forestry in America.

224 pages, Unknown Binding

Published January 1, 1974

Reviews

[Peter Sinnott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Told first-hand, by a once young German forester, this book is his life journey to Western North Carolina. Hired by G. Vanderbilt, Schenck commands Biltmore Estate's vast land purchases acquiring what is today Pisgah National Forest.

All-in-all Schenck struggles to turn his school/enterprise profitable while adhering to the principles of forestry.

The people he meets (many historical figures from our past) and his account of life on the Estate at the time, are enough to make this book a good read for anyone interested in the local history of W.N.C.

This book covers Schenck's time in Western North Carolina with his Biltmore Forestry School. It stop shorts of his eventual return to Germany. During WWII Schenck, already somewhat of an old man, remained out of the spotlight in north western Germany. After the allied victory, Schenck's town fell under American jurisdiction where a census survey by chance happened upon the old forester. He was then hired to oversee forestry operations for this sector.