This paper provides a historical perspective on the development of forest genetic resources (FGR) in Zimbabwe. We narrate the introduction and improvement of FGR for deployment in industrial plantations based on exotic pine and eucalypt species and describe interventions in managing FRG in indigenous forests and farming areas. The introduction of exotic FGR to underpin plantation forestry was supported by tree breeding and improvement strategies, some of which have been tried only in Zimbabwe. Interventions in indigenous forests by the Forest Research Centre (FRC) were reinforced by international support that advocated for development projects with a community focus and improved outcomes for rural livelihoods. This narrative reflects on forest research and development in the country, its success and shortfalls, and provides lessons on forest management in a developing country with a modern industrial forest sector and an indigenous forest resource that has potential to improve livelihoods, and at the same time having intrinsic vulnerabilities that are leading to its degradation.