The late Professor Im Gyeong-bin studied forestry at Suwon Agriculture and Forestry Professional School, graduating in 1944. He received an M.A. in natural sciences from the University of Minnesota in 1958 and a Ph.D. from Seoul National University in 1964. He taught at the School of Forestry at Seoul National University and at Wonkwang University. He was the president of Korea Society of Forest Science and also served as the committee member of the Cultural Heritage Committee and an official member of the Korean Academy of Science and Technology. He was the recipient of the Presidential Award in Sciences. He is the author of the Tree Encyclopedia Volumes 1-6 (1977-2002, Ilji Publishing), The Korean Forests, (1993, Gwangrim Publishing), The Natural Monuments: Plants, (1993, Daewon Publishing), Pine Trees, (1995, Daewon Publishing), In Search of Trees and Forests Around the World, (1998, Gwangil Munhwa Publishing), People in Nature: The Eco-Friendly Dream of a Tree, 1, 2 (1998, Joongang M&B) and Soar, Tree (Different World, 2001).