The Forest Restoration Talks returned on June 11 with a timely and pressing question: what happens after a severe windstorm in the forest? With storm Éowyn leaving a clear mark on Irish forests in spring 2025 – uprooted trees, fragmented canopies, and policy gaps laid bare – experts and practitioners came together to exchange knowledge on what recovery and restoration should look like.
Hosted in collaboration with the Integrate Network, the TRANSFORMIT project, the SUPERB project, and FoRISK – the Pan-European Forest Risk Facility, the webinar focused on how to respond to extreme disturbance events, strengthen forest resilience, and adapt forestry practices and management for the future.
What happened during Storm Éowyn?
Storm Éowyn was the strongest storm ever recorded in Ireland, with wind speeds topping 184 km/h. The impact was severe: around 26,000 hectares of forest were damaged. Much of the damage occurred in mature conifer stands growing on wet mineral and peat soils. Sitka spruce was by far the most affected species. Forest structure and management history played a clear role in vulnerability – about half of the damaged area had been thinned at least once, raising questions about how timing and intensity of thinning influence resilience. As discussed in the webinar, factors like mixed species, varied age classes, and selective thinning can strengthen forest resilience, though no forest is entirely immune to disturbance.
What can we learn from other countries’ experience?
In North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), one of Germany’s most forested regions, storms, droughts, and bark beetle outbreaks have left a visible mark. In response, the region developed a comprehensive reforestation strategy focused on resilience. Instead of replanting the same vulnerable species, forests are being rebuilt with a mix of four or more tree species, carefully selected to suit local soil and climate conditions. These “forest development types” also account for different forestry goals – from biodiversity and water retention to recreation and timber production.
Support for forest owners goes beyond written guidelines – which is particularly important because more than half of NRWs forests is privately owned, with many small-scale owners. On-site advice, workshops, and even online courses help owners make informed decisions. A key digital tool, Waldinfo.NRW (in German), offers site-specific guidance, including climate scenario projections and tree suitability maps. This approach puts long-term forest health first – with a focus on climate stability, provision of diverse ecosystem services, and forest vitality.
Policy and the power of networks
One recurring theme was the need for policies that don’t slow down action, but help respond quickly and effectively when disturbances hit. Another important factor highlighted was the role of expert networks and coordinated planning. These networks are essential to ensure that knowledge and lessons learned from past disturbances are not lost between events. Initiatives like the Forest Risk Facility and the Integrate Network are seen as essential platforms to ensure cross-border learning and coordinated action.
Storms like Éowyn expose weaknesses – but also reveal where we can improve. By rethinking planting strategies, improving management transparency, and giving forest owners the tools to both better prevent and respond, the sector can transform storm recovery into long-term resilience. While extreme events may be inevitable, the way we prepare and react is very much in our hands.
Missed the webinar? Watch the full recording here.
