Overview
Belgium is a small, densely populated country in north-western Europe. Forest and other wooded land covers just over one fifth of the land area; in terms of forest area per inhabitant, Belgium has one of the lowest levels in Europe. Over half the forest area is classified as semi-natural, the remainder being plantations (notably of poplar), a high proportion by European standards. Nearly all forest is available for wood supply. Most of the forest area is in the southern, more hilly part of the country (Ardennes). Broadleaved species account for more than half the growing stock, the main species being oaks, beech, poplar and birch. The main coniferous species are pines, Norway spruce and Douglas fir. Nearly three fifths of the forest is privately owned, principally by individuals. Institutions other than the Belgian State, notably the three linguistic regions (Flanders, Wallonia, Brussels), which have responsibility for all aspects of forest policy, own the major part of the publicly owned forests. Net annual increment per hectare is among the highest in Europe and fellings are slightly less than increment, resulting in a gradual increase in growing stock. By contrast, the area of forest has been declining slightly. Besides wood production, recreation and hunting are both important functions of the forest. Luxembourg is a small, landlocked, partly hilly country in the heart of Europe. Forest and other wooded land accounts for a third of the land area, slightly less than the European average. All the forest is considered to be available for wood supply, and there are no areas left undisturbed by man. Most of the forest is high, even-aged forest, while there are some areas of coppice and coppice with standards. Three fifths of the forest area has a predominantly broadleaved cover, the main broadleaved species being beech and oak. Norway spruce, Scots pine and silver fir are the principal coniferous species. Because of favourable growing conditions and intensive management, net annual increment per hectare is among the highest in Europe. More than half the area of forest and other wooded land is privately owned, mostly in small parcels. The remainder is publicly owned, mainly by the State, but also some areas belong to communes and municipalities.
Forest Types
Industry
Belgium does not have sufficient roundwood production for the vigorous domestic industry. Both raw materials and primary processed products are imported to meet the domestic demand. Most of the roundwood is imported from neighbouring regions of France and Germany. The country has a relatively important wood-based panels industry which produces mainly particle board for export and for the local furniture industry. Belgium also imports large volumes of recovered paper that are re-exported to other EU countries. Luxembourg produces some MDF and OSB panels mainly for the Belgian markets. Per capita consumption of forest products is rather high.
On a very small scale, non-wood products are harvested from the forests (berries and mushrooms). Primary non-wood forest products in Luxembourg include Christmas trees and greenery.