Forest

Estonia is one of the most forested countries in the world. Forests cover nearly half of the mainland in Estonia. The forests here stand out with an abundance of species, preserved thanks to a large proportion of naturally renewed forests and few alien tree species. Forest areas are important in the carbon cycle, binding carbon from the atmosphere in woody plants and forest soil.

Wood is an increasingly important source of renewable energy, valued raw material and building material. Wood is used to make doors, windows, houses and furniture, which are sold on the domestic market and exported to other countries. 

Forest statistics provide information about

• the size of Estonia’s forest resources;
• the annual increment of stands;
• the area of forest land in Estonia;
• the share of protected forest land;
• the annual volume of felling.

Based on forest statistics, it is possible to assess how viable and productive are Estonian forests and how well the state ensures their renewal and preservation.

First pilot compilation of the European Forest Accounts with the aim to establish the methodology has been finalized in June 2023 regarding reference year 2019, results and overview can be seen in the report and tables. The work has been co-financed by Eurostat grant  for developing environmental accounts (101022852 — 2020-EE-ENVACC).