Forest Recovery Still in Doubt

Despite a wet summer, the Hessian forest is struggling to recover from severe damage, particularly among beech and spruce trees. New plantings aim to establish a climate-resilient forest, yet challenging soil conditions complicate species selection.

Reports indicate significant thinning of tree crowns, especially alarming in the Rhine-Main region, which has been declared a forestry emergency area. In Baden-Württemberg, while there has been a slight decrease in significantly damaged trees, the situation remains concerning with 40% still affected.

Bark beetles and extreme weather have taken a heavy toll. Forestry Minister Peter Hauk warns against excessive optimism, emphasizing the need for robust planting strategies to address the ongoing crisis.