Hardt Forest Implements Emergency Response as Drought Threatens 95% of Trees
Hardt forest designated as climate adaptation pilot after 95% tree degradation and increased wildfire and deforestation incidents.
Event / Environment
Hardt Forest Ecological Crisis
France's largest oak-hornbeam forest faces severe degradation from drought and climate change, with 95% of tree canopies severely damaged. Management response includes climate adaptation measures, extended forest rotations, and intensified fire prevention.
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2026-08-15 to 2026-11-12 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 1 Aug, 06:17 UTC
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What happened
Hardt forest reaches severe drought status with 95% of trees degraded
The Hardt forest massif in Haut-Rhin has reached a severe drought stage according to the French Forest Observatory. As of the article date, 95% of tree canopies are severely degraded, up from 77% in 2020. The forest is the driest in mainland France and has never been crossed by a river, with soil composed of gravel that infiltrates water readily. Sessile and pedunculate oaks are most affected, while Scots pines have already disappeared.
Fire surveillance and response patrol established in Hardt forest in 2024
The National Forest Office (ONF) deployed a surveillance and intervention patrol in 2024 to combat forest fires in the Hardt massif. During heat waves, the patrol conducts circuits in high-risk zones to act as an advance guard for emergency services. This represents increased collaboration between the ONF and the Haut-Rhin fire and rescue service.
Six hectares of Hardt forest burned in 2022 fire near Rixheim
A forest fire in 2022 destroyed six hectares of the Hardt forest near Rixheim. Following this incident, the fire and rescue service, ONF, and other forest stakeholders enhanced coordination, including sharing information on tree species conditions and pre-positioning fire trucks based on updated risk assessments.
Hardt forest designated as pilot forest for climate change adaptation
The Hardt forest has been designated as a pilot forest for adaptation to climate change. Adaptation measures include cultivating species diversity, planting 6,200 non-native tree species including Atlas cedar and maritime pine near Rixheim, extending cutting rotations from 8 to 20 years to maintain forest cover, considering genetic diversity of tree species, and increasing investments in the most promising zones while reducing support for severely damaged areas.
Accidental tree harvest in Hardt forest doubles Haut-Rhin regional rate
In the Hardt forest, the harvest of accidental forest products (dead or dying trees) represents 60% of total harvest activity, double the 30% rate recorded across Haut-Rhin region. This indicator reflects the severe health decline of the forest.
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