The paper examines the timber industry of the Altai Territory in the context of its economic space; gives brief characteristic of the forest complex, volumes and timber resources; discloses business channels in forest industry. The author outlines the problem of development of industrial and social spheres in forest complexes, characterizes territorial and settlements aspects of their functioning and development. Particular attention is paid to the spatial aspects of the development of the forest complex in the region. In particular, the main indicators of forest sector development of the Altai Territory in the context of forest economic zones have been distinguished with the key characteristics of the production sector, and specific features of forestry and territorial settlement framework. The article assesses the prospects for the development of forestry for each forest economic zone and proposes the directions on the effective use of the resources, located there.