This paper examines forest exploitation in Romanian communal villages from a new-institutional perspective. Using mixed-methods research but with an emphasis on qualitative data, it explores the specificities of forest exploitation. Starting from three research questions, the paper addresses the ideas of corruption, illegal logging, and the types of institutions that exist(ed) in the Romanian obşti and their forest exploitations. Findings reveal that although institutions tend to be inclusive, extractive elements and challenges related to illegal logging and corruption persist. Thus, although the State increases its power, the situation is far from perfect.