Forest Health in NRW Shows Limited Improvement Despite Increased Rainfall

The 2024 Forest Condition Report reveals ongoing challenges for North Rhine-Westphalia's forests, with only 27% of trees considered fully healthy.

The 2024 Forest Condition Report highlights that just 27% of trees in North Rhine-Westphalia have dense, healthy crowns, up slightly from 25% last year.
Despite two consecutive years of high rainfall, the long-term effects of drought and heatwaves continue to impact tree vitality significantly.
Eighty-three percent of oaks show crown thinning, with 64% experiencing severe damage, marking a notable decline in their condition.
Positive developments include progress in reforestation efforts, with young trees growing on approximately half of surveyed damaged areas, and a decline in bark beetle infestations.
Efforts to diversify forests with mixed tree species are ongoing, supported by government incentives like the reforestation subsidy for landowners.