Nikolai Stepanovich Nesterov is a Russian scientist. To protect forest resources and use them without damaging the ecosystem - this is the goal he pursued in his practice. Love and care for the forest were the driving forces in his scientific work.
Biography
Forester Nikolai Stepanovich Nesterov was born in 1860 into a peasant family. Childhood years were spent in the Vyatka outback. Two real schools after high school are the next stage of his education. For the successes achieved, the young man was left at the Petrovsk Academy to prepare for further activities as a teacher and as a scientist. In his thesis, the future forester analyzed the question of the place of aspen among tree species.
Silvicultural activities
For several years N. Nesterov served in the corps of foresters. Subsequently, he was entrusted with a responsible state matter - to visit European countries to study the formulation of forestry. And in the USA and Canada, he studied forestry production. The works written as a result of these trips were highly appreciated in a special foreign press.
At the Lesnaya Experimental Dacha, N. Nesterov planted trees brought from different regions and observed them, adapting them to the conditions of the Moscow region.
Scientific interests
Most of all, N. Nesterov was interested in the question of the wind-holding role of the forest, which was of great practical importance. Many of the topics he studied were related to tree species. For example, the question of how the acclimatization of trees occurs, how the origin of seeds affects the growth of plantings. He wrote works on the production of French wooden shoes, on the maple-sugar production in North America, on the use of wood chips. He was also attracted by forestry and forestry technologies.
Oh yes, the aspen-helper
In his work "The Significance of Aspen in Russian Forestry" researcher N. Nesterov writes about the most famous tree in our forests. He first looks at the prevalence of this forest species. Then he dwells on the survival rate of the tree. The germination capacity of aspen seeds is low. They quickly lose their germination. Therefore, aspen breeding is difficult and troublesome for foresters.
The author writes about such an advantage of aspen as elasticity. Therefore, it is suitable for the construction industry. Beams, rafters, floors, poles and stakes for hedges, shovels, skis, carriages, carriages were made from it … Aspen wood was also used in the railway business for the construction of carriages. Aspen was used as an ornamental material for fishing. The peasants made tables, chairs, stools, tea caddies, trays and circles for flower pots, boxes (chests). Household items were made from aspen - buckets, cups, spoons, troughs, tubs, buckets, baskets, box bodies, boxes …. For women - self-spinning wheels, knuckles for buttons, for kids - toys. The head of the farm - handles for scythes, harrows, barrels, beehives … Aspen even put shoes on the peasants. Shoes with aspen soles were much lighter than French ones made of beech. The shavings of this tree were even sent abroad. Aspen was used to make writing and printing paper. Aspen bark and leaves bring benefits. Thus, the use of aspen is extensive and varied. Among other tree species, it takes pride of place. The scientist believed in its broad future.
Forestry successors
N. S. Nesterov had students who continued his work, including G. R. Eitingen. After the death of the professor, the scientist, his student was elected head of the forestry department of the Moscow Agricultural Institute.
Doctor of Agricultural Sciences, a member of the International Union of Forest Experimental Stations, head of the Department of Forestry at the Moscow Forestry Institute - these are the steps in the forestry career of G. R. Eitingen. He wrote a book about his teacher and talked about his merits.
… brings the light of truth …
N. Nesterov bequeathed to bury him in Timiryazevsky Park - not far from the Forest Training and Experimental Dacha, where he conducted research and was the head. His life path ended in 1926.
The famous forester N. S. Nesterov is a determined, energetic researcher by nature. His scientific works are considered the best Russian works. N. Nesterov made a significant contribution to the history of forestry. It can be said about him in the words of the scientist-botanist G. F. Morozov, who characterized many of the "fathers" of forestry as original scientists, "… who brought the light of truth and elements of originality into our business."
