Forests in Luxembourg
"A small man stands in the forest, silent and still." This nursery rhyme, like so many other stories and legends, is set in the forest. Schetzel, a hermit who lived in Luxembourg in the 12th century, chose to live alone in nature, spending his final years in the Grünewald, where his cave can still be visited to this day. The forests of the Grand Duchy and other regions are home to a wide range of animal and plant species. They are one of the pillars of food security and nutrition for millions of families around the world. In this article, we will take a closer look at the woodlands of Luxembourg and talk to Michel Dostert, an expert in forest management.
Covering an area of about 130,000 football pitches
The Grand Duchy is covered by 92,150 hectares of forest, equivalent to around 35% of Luxembourg's surface area. Hardwoods cover 64% of this area and softwoods 36%.
In terms of ownership, 52% of the plots of land are privately owned by around 14,000 family companies or private individuals: 34% are municipal forests, 13% are state-owned forests and 1% of forests belong to public institutions.
Moreover, 55% of the forested area is located in the Eislek. This region in the north of the country therefore contains a larger proportion of woodland than the rest of the country. Another interesting fact - more than 85% of forests are located less than 1,500 metres from a built-up area, which makes them ideal spots for leisure activities.
Forests - guardians of treasures
The forests are home to a wide variety of trees and plants, including beech, oak, maple and ash. Beech is the most common tree species in Luxembourg and the undergrowth is often rich in herbaceous plants and shrubs.
These habitats play host to various animal species, including mammals such as deer, boar and foxes. There is also a wide variety of birds, insects and other small animals.
Luxembourg's forests contain a significant amount of dead wood and old trees, which is ideal for biodiversity. These elements provide key habitats for many species, including fungi, lichens and insects.
Eist wëllt Lëtzebuerg
Discover "Wild Luxembourg" - a series on special natural habitats and the role they play for their inhabitants and understand how these geographical areas are connected to our everyday lives. The series is produced by the Ministry of the Environment, Climate and Biodiversity.
Public forests
Public forests are managed by the Nature and Forestry Administration via various tools.
A forest inventory is a descriptive analysis of a forest's ecosystem, including maps and data, which is essential for forest management and planning.
Forests mapping identifies the best conditions for tree growth according to the type of soil, topography and climate, and recommends suitable tree species. It is crucial to nature-friendly forestry, which uses plantings to enhance biodiversity and protect natural habitats. Respecting the suitability of species is required by law and involves an in-depth understanding of the needs of the species and the characteristics of the site.
Forest management is a long-term, ten-year management plan for a forest estate, aimed at harvesting timber sustainably while taking the landowner's expectations on board and fostering ecological, social and economic benefits. Modern planning takes community interests as well as recreation and nature conservation needs into account.
The annual management plan is drafted by the district manager and the forestry officer, who set out and budget for the measures to be taken to ensure the sustainable management of the forest, protect nature and raise public awareness. It is also approved by the landowner.
Did you know?
Any interested person or group can play an active role in forestry management planning and monitoring by sharing their ideas and proposals. Every year, a list of the forest properties undergoing restoration is published and contributions can be sent by email to the Forestry Department within 4 weeks of the project launch date.
Please note, these management instruments apply exclusively to public forests. The management plan is accepted and implemented by the landowners, in this case the municipalities. Landowners of private forests draw up a management plan themselves or with the help of a consultancy firm.
Lëtzebuerger Privatbësch
Lëtzebuerger Privatbësch is a non-profit organisation. Its aim is to support the landowners of private forests in Luxembourg. Since 2010, the association has been organising, among other matters, the forestry licence, which offers ten different courses on forests. These courses include lectures and excursions, and can be taken independently of each other. In addition to the forestry licence, chainsaw training is also provided, offering essential practical training for forest management.
To find out more about the different services and projects, we spoke to Michel Dostert, Forestry Engineer (MSc.) and Wildlife Management (MSc.) with the group.
How do landowners of private forests actively preserve forests in Luxembourg?
Almost all landowners of private forests have been affected by climate change, which has become a major issue over the last decade. Certain trees died as a direct result of drought, while others were weakened before being attacked by pathogens such as insects or fungi. Private landowners are making a huge effort to replant affected woodland areas with species adapted to climate change. We need to plant 2,500 saplings per hectare, which represents thousands of trees.
Can you give us an example of a recent or current project that demonstrates your association's commitment to forest management?
We have hundreds of different types of small sites all over the country, because our work takes place on land owned by private individuals in the Grand Duchy. Together, they own more than half of Luxembourg's woodland. In 2024, we carried out 309 on-site consultations, organised the planting of more than 80,000 trees and the cutting of 27,000 m3 of wood. Our organisation is also committed to long-term sustainability: in 2023, we celebrated our 90th anniversary.
What tools and technologies do you use to monitor the health of forests?
At this stage, we don't use any specific technology, particularly on the small private plots we work on. As a non-profit organisation, we don't have the means to finance drones, for example, and they are of limited use anyway. Instead, we essentially rely upon our own eyesight and experience.
Can you tell us about the partnerships your association has set up with municipalities or other organisations and institutions to strengthen your management and conservation efforts?
We work exclusively on private plots of land, but we are in constant contact with the Administration de la Nature et des Forêts (Nature and Forestry Administration), with whom we have a very good working relationship. We are represented on a number of institutions, including the Natura2000 COPILS, the Conseil supérieur de la forêt, the Conseil supérieur de la chasse and the Conseil supérieur pour la protection de la nature. Through an agreement with the Ministry of the Environment, we are very active in the Natura2000 networks, where we mark biotope trees and areas of old growth.
We would like to thank Michel Dostert for this interview.
Every year, on 21 March, we celebrate International Forest Day. Luxembourg's forests need our support. Don't wait, contact Lëtz' reGenerate today to find out how you can help our forests.
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