Rapid deterioration: Barely a quarter of Hungarian forests healthy

Tree mortality in Hungary is dramatic. In less than ten years, the proportion of asymptomatic trees has halved. Overall, barely a quarter of Hungarian forests are healthy.

Unhealthy forests

According to a report by the European Environment Agency, the proportion of dead canopy trees in the European Union has doubled since the late 20th century. One in four trees is losing moderate to severe foliage, and the rate of defoliation is increasing.

The loss of trees in Hungary is dramatic, G7 writes. In less than ten years, the proportion of asymptomatic trees has decreased by 50%. As unbelievable as it sounds, only 3% of black pines and 6.5% of pedunculate oaks are healthy. Climate change is also expected to cause the disappearance of pines and beeches from Hungary.

Why are healthy trees important?

The health of trees is key to the survival of forest ecosystems, plant and animal habitats. Moreover, healthy forests help clean water and air. This can mitigate the effects of climate change. The economic aspect is also considerable. The average loss due to deterioration is around 79 million cubic metres per year in the EU. This represents 16% of the EU’s annual wood harvest.