In France, the forest covers an area of 15 million ha, more precisely, 26% of the national territory (each year, the wooden territory earns more than 40,000 ha). Moreover, the French forest is one of the richest and most prolific of Europe, with a total volume of 2.2 billions m3 wooden surface and with an organic growth of 85 million m3/year. The yearly cuts are evaluated over 35 million m3, without the firewood for individual consumption.
The French forest presents the greatest European biodiversity, with more than 126 species of trees, 27 types of ecosystems from a total of 50 existing at European level.
The hardwoods are approximately two-thirds of the surface and oak forest is the essence the most widespread, followed by the beech. The main coniferous species are maritime pine, pine, spruce, fir, Douglas fir.
Last, but not least it is interesting to clarify the fact that in France, ¾ of the forest area belongs to individuals, 10% to the State and 16% to the Commons. |