Forest area grows in France

France's forests have grown significantly in the past 20 years, reaching 17.7 million hectares in 2026, which covers 32% of the country. This increase, averaging 100,000 hectares per year since 2010, follows a long-term trend that started in the early 20th century, when forests occupied just 9.9 million hectares.

Standing wood volume increases

The volume of standing wood in France's forests has also risen, reaching 2.9 billion cubic meters in 2026, compared to 1.8 billion cubic meters in 1985. This growth is linked to reforestation efforts, reduced agricultural activity, and the natural regrowth of abandoned farmland.

Forest health declines despite expansion

Despite the increase in forest area, the health of France's forests is deteriorating. Tree mortality has risen by 2.5 times between the periods 2005–2013 and 2016–2024, reaching 18.1 million cubic meters of wood annually. This decline is linked to climate factors such as droughts and heatwaves, as well as rising threats from pests and diseases.

Specific tree species face significant threats

Certain tree species are suffering more than others. For example, 25% of ash trees show signs of degradation due to a fungal disease known as chalara, while 22% of chestnut trees are declining. Young trees are also affected, with 15% showing damage from large wild animals like deer and fallow deer, which can hinder forest regeneration.

Carbon storage capacity declines

The ability of French forests to store carbon has weakened. Biological wood production, the annual growth of trees, has dropped by 8% per hectare since 2005. The net carbon balance stored in living trees has fallen from 63 million tons of CO2 annually between 2005–2013 to 39 million tons between 2016–2024, with some regions experiencing a negative balance.

Water availability affects forest resilience

Water availability plays a crucial role in forest health. Over half of French forests (54%) grow on soils with less than 70 millimeters of available water. However, forests on these drier soils have lower tree mortality compared to those with better water access, suggesting that tree species adapted to water scarcity may be more resilient to droughts.

Forests support biodiversity and water systems

Forests in France are vital for maintaining water systems, reducing runoff, and protecting soil from erosion. Nearly 2.6 million hectares of forests lie within 50 meters of rivers or wetlands, supporting greater biodiversity with an average of 6.2 tree species, compared to 4.9 in more distant forests. Many of these areas are also in water supply protection zones.

Forest health requires more than area growth

The 2026 National Forest Inventory emphasizes that the expansion of forest areas alone is not enough to assess their health. The ability of forests to regenerate, resist droughts, and continue storing carbon is now equally important. The full impact of the 2026 droughts and fires on forests is still being evaluated.