Wood is one of the most abundant renewable resources,in the background of carbon neutralization,utilization of renewable forest resources received particularly attention.Seeking new fundamental theories and developing new technologies can greatly promote the utilizing efficiency of forest resources.In recent years,many research groups at home and abroad discovered that forest resources possessed inherent photoluminescence,photothermal conversion and photocatalytic properties.Based on these discoveries,these forest resources were efficiently converted to optical functional materials.The natural structure and chemical composition inherent in forest resources endow them with unique optical properties,which provide a broad development space for photo-functionalization.Despite significant research progress,there are still many challenges in the study of the photo-chemical properties of forest resources and their conversion into optical functional materials.In the review,we tried to discuss four crucial points in the research area including 1)the advantages for converting forest resources to optical functional materials;2)The correlation between"structure-optical performance"of forest resources;3)The conversion method and potential applications;4)The perspectives in the area.This review was expected to provide a new angle for the high-efficient and value-added utilization of the forest resources,and help the efficient utilization of forest resources under the carbon neutralization strategy.The research in this area will not only help to promote sustainable development,but also in the process of deepening the research,forest resources are expected to become an important source of efficient and sustainable optical functional materials in many fields.