80% of Luxembourg's trees are in poor condition

Samples were taken from a number of different places across the country, with experts measuring the trees, evaluating their condition and collecting data on the composition, growth and overall condition of the forest.

Although Luxembourg's woodland remains stable at around 92,000 hectares, the Nature Administation has observed a significant decline in the trees' overall condition. Spruce trees in particularly are suffering from drought and bark beetle infestations. In addition, the trees have been growing slower over the past 23 years, and the consequences of climate change have dramatically worsened: between 2010 and 2023, Luxembourg's forests emitted more carbon than they absorbed. For the first time in decades, the Grand Duchy's forests are no longer absorbing CO₂. Michel Leytem, director of the Nature Administration, said:

"It's important to note that the period in which we took down this inventory was in 2023, and the previous one was 2012. In the middle of the two reports we had some extremely dry summers, like in 2018, and the trees lacked water as a result and couldn't grow as much, they couldn't produce as much wood, so we are not surprised by these results."

Many trees now die off earlier than they did a few decades ago. But in one way it isn't a negative that the amount of dead wood has doubled since 2000, as it constitutes a habitat for other species and therefore increases the amount of biodiversity.

But this development is not just a sign of a natural dynamic, but also shows that forests are struggling to regenerate and are dying under stress.

"We have several tree species which are suffering badly. The oak is definitely one that is struggling now. We hope the majority of oaks will be resistant, but it is effectively the case that our trees are greatly weakened and we have to help them survive."

The efforts to adapt the tree stock over the past two decades have borne fruit: the proportion of deciduous trees has increased from 66% in 2010 to 75% in 2023, and the structure of the forests has been enriched with more species diversity and increased stock. Now the authorities are trying to improve the trees' condition. Environment minister Serge Wilmes said a national tree strategy was in the works.

"We want to remove less wood so it can replenish. We also want to introduce different trees and help them emerge. Natural regeneration is really important. Over the last year, I've put together a panel of stakeholders in forestry and hunting, so we can work together to ensure wildlife regulation, as some animals like to eat young trees."

In response to criticism from the nature conservation organisation Forest Stewardship Council, or FSC-Luxembourg, that the policy does not sufficiently protect forests, the minister replied that they did not want to erect fences to protect young trees. But if trees are removed, they would be replaced with new ones.

Compared to our neighboring countries, Luxembourg has a proportionally larger forest area, with over a third of the country covered in woodland.