Initial Analysis Estimates €750m Needed to Safeguard Luxembourg’s Forests

On Tuesday 5 September 2023, the Lëtzebuerger Privatbësch (Luxembourg private forests) non-profit organisation estimated the cost of forest transformations to help these vital ecosystems adapt to climate change conditions.

Climate change profoundly affects national forests. According to Lëtzebuerger Privatbësch, bare areas should be promptly reforested with heat-loving, drought-tolerant tree species. If there are seed trees of these resistant species, their natural regeneration should be preferred. In all cases, it is necessary to provide ample protection against game. This type of transformation should cost around €250 million for plantations and €500 million for protection against game.

The results of the 2022 phytosanitary inventory were reportedly worrisome: 61.7% of the trees in Luxembourg's forests were found to be clearly or severely damaged. Drought and heat pose a growing threat to the forest. The spruce forests common in the Oesling particularly, due to increasing pest problems and increasingly large bare areas, are no longer a viable model. Beech, dominant in the Gutland, is also not fully adapted to the currently shifting climatic conditions. Other tree species, such as Douglas fir and pedunculate oak, are also encountering increasing challenges.

“In order for future generations to enjoy a healthy and climate-resilient forest, we must act now. There are native tree species that tolerate drought better, such as sessile oak, linden, wild cherry, Norway maple, wild service tree and service tree. This is where we have to act,” explained Winfried von Loe, forest engineer at Lëtzebuerger Privatbësch. According to the non-profit organisation, variety is particularly important: the diversity of species is essential to the proper functioning and to the ecosystem’s robustness. Natural regeneration – also with the help of birds such as the jay – should thus be specifically encouraged, if possible, and later be supplemented by the introduction of resistant species by means of plantations.

Lëtzebuerger Privatbësch has said it also considers robust safeguards against wildlife damage to be of utmost importance. Without such protection, the growth of young trees into mature ones is at risk. Vital elements include wooden enclosures and biodegradable bark protection for individual trees. Whilst these measures come with a high cost, they are indispensable for achieving success. Furthermore, the organisation expressed their belief that there is a need for specialised training and guidance for the numerous small private forest owners.

Investments are to be expected that greatly exceed the sums foreseen under normal budgets and financial plans. “We need a master plan to ensure that the necessary financial resources will be available in the years to come. We will then have a real opportunity to prepare our forests for the future,” highlighted Jos Strotz, forest owner, president of the Wiltz Forestry Group and member of the board of directors of Lëtzebuerger Privatbësch.

Lëtzebuerger Privatbësch is recognised as a conservation organisation. Its main objective is to support and advise private forest owners in Luxembourg, focusing on the promotion of sustainable forest management and defending the interests of private forest owners at the political level.