Hardt Forest in Haut-Rhin Faces Severe Drought and Degradation

The Hardt forest, the largest oak‑charm woodland in continental Europe and the most damaged forest in France, is suffering extreme drought. According to the French Forest Observatory, the state forest of the Hardt received the lowest health rating, with 95 % of its trees now classified as degraded. In the Haut‑Rhin department, 30 % of trees are dead or dying, double the regional average. The forest lacks rivers and its rocky, highly infiltrating soil worsens the dryness. Since 2024, the Office National des Forêts (ONF) has deployed patrols to protect the most vulnerable zones, after a six‑hectare area burned in 2022. As a climate‑adaptation pilot, the ONF is planting 6,200 non‑native species such as Atlas cedar and maritime pine in Rixheim, extending cutting cycles from eight to twenty years, and increasing investment in genetically diverse, resilient stands.

Matthieu Dupeuble, deputy forest manager for the Haut‑Rhin ONF office, warned that the situation is not improving and highlighted the need for diversified reforestation and longer management cycles.