This article examines forest geodesy and cartography, addressing the questions of how they function at present and how they ought to function. Contemporary forest geomatics fulfils the following functions: it (i) enables the collection, processing, storage and making available of forest data for management purposes (the information function); (ii) supports the execution of investment projects and forest management plans; (iii) contributes to the maintenance function performed by the national geodesic service in forest district administration; and (iv) provides services for scientific research. Modern, numeric geodesy and cartography are based on coordinates. Information may be obtained by various methods, but each of them provides, as its final result, coordinates defining the position and geometry of objects and material phenomena. Geomatics provides spatial information concerning the position and parameters of objects. In the case of a forest, these objects are the land (ground) and everything that is physically situated on it. Where there is a need for detailed documentation of the forest space, methods of classical geodesy are applied (with the use of electronic instruments and GNSS receivers), in addition to methods of photogrammetry and remote sensing (using satellite images, laser scanning and drones), methods of computer cartography, and spatial analyses. One also has to mention the Digital Forest Map (DFM)and the Forest Data Bank (FDB), which are created and administered by the forestry services themselves. While these are assessed extremely positively, there is a need for further research on methodology and implementation work, together with the development of suitable applications. The scope of the content of DFM and FDB should be extended to include data on rural parks, as well as archival data. The national archives contain valuable old forest maps, containing a great deal of information on the state of the natural and cultural environment of forest areas. For the purposes of proper management of forest districts, the geodesic and legal establishment of boundaries, and the proper use of DFM, it is necessary to establish the accuracy of the position of points and to bring that accuracy to an adequate level. Proper spatial planning requires public participation, particularly in the management of forestry and nature protection. Geomatic tools ought to serve as an important medium in enabling such participation. Research should also be closely linked to education, including both training within the sector and academic courses.