Abstract: Wilhelm Heinrich Riehl, German social politician and forest scientist, is the first person in the studies on history of forest culture, who elevates forest to political level. Based on his intensive studies on forest science and culture, Riehl elevated forest to political level, so as to motivate the German people to be united closely against insult and humiliation from other countries, protect homeland and nature, and wage a struggle against destruction of nature and technological abuse, which destroy human spirit. It can be argued that his theory greatly enriches German forest culture, constitutes the most unique and innovative chapter in it, so that unique spiritual disposition and aesthetic pursuit, which characterize German people, can be further revealed. Although his thought was later distorted by the Nazis, it doesn't shake its position as the spirit of leading the German people to move forward and building a powerful Germany. With a understanding of Riehl's thought of forest political instrumentalization, we can get clear and deep insights into German history, especially German culture history.