Analysing 780,000 tree rings from 1955-2016, researchers found growth declines of up to 20 per cent in southern Europe, while northern areas like Scandinavia experienced growth increases. [Photo by Emin Sansar/Anadolu via Getty Images)] 3 min. read Content type: Underwritten Euractiv is part of the Trust Project Print Share This article is part of our special report Deforestation and reforestation dynamics, Europe is driving a critical response to carbon removal . A new study finds that beech trees in Europe will be massively affected by climate change. Experts argue that damage is already quite severe and recommend introducing drought-tolerant species. These are the results of the “Back to the future – A new look at the prospects for beech after 20 years of research and advancing climate change” conducted by the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research (WSL). Researchers revisited conflicting studies from 2004 and 2005 and, using improved data and recent evidence, concluded that beech trees are highly vulnerable to extreme droughts, which could lead to large-scale dieback and local extinction. Lead researcher Arthur Gessler highlighted that extreme dry years, such as those in 2018-2023, have already caused severe damage, and even under optimistic climate scenarios, beech forests will suffer. The forest industry must prepare for fundamental changes. Gessler recommends introducing drought- and heat-tolerant species, like oak, to mitigate impacts and promote greater biodiversity in forests to improve resilience. According to Gessler, even if the beech were to suffer massive drought damage, high genetic diversity and diverse forest structures could help reduce risks and prevent total forest failure. Tree growth decline The recent WSL research reinforces the findings of a previous pan-European study that climate change could significantly reduce beech tree growth across much of Europe this century, potentially leading to forest dieback. Analysing 780,000 […]