Theft of trees and wood on rise in France: dedicated helpline set up

A rise in robbers illegally cutting down valuable trees from private forests for their lumber has led to a new helpline and website being introduced for impacted owners. 

Thieves have been targeting trees of all kinds – mostly highly-profitable oak – quickly cutting them down whilst owners are away without due care. 

The wood from French trees is highly sought after internationally, with thieves selling it on to factories often situated in China.

To help better identify areas robbers are targeting – and to help complaints be resolved more efficiently, private forest owner syndicate Fransylva has launched its new campaign. 

Up to 75% of France’s forested areas are privately-owned – usually in small independent plots far from inhabited areas – which is why tackling the increasing levels of crime can be difficult. 

A new website is accompanied by a helpline (01 47 20 90 58) where impacted owners can highlight instances of tree theft or scam actions by robbers.

Resources on how impacted woodland owners can make an official complaint are also included, as the sector looks to bring more thieves to justice.

The syndicate is also working with French customs to better track the logs that are often exported in their raw format before being worked on in the factories. 

Alongside this, Fransylva is calling for an inter-ministerial unit to be created to fight against tree theft, bringing increased intelligence gathering and more stringent judicial action against criminals.

Read more: Can firewood be gathered in forests to heat French homes?

Emotional, financial, and natural stresses

One owner in the north of France saw robbers cut down 20 oak trees from his plot whilst he was gone, alongside several others in neighbouring parcels. 

Whilst such efforts should have taken around three weeks – with the proper care and delicacy usually required – the robbers spent only two or three days carrying out the task. 

In addition to the emotional and financial stress of seeing the trees cut down, tracing the crime can be extremely difficult. 

“We often have to fight to get owners to maintain their complaint, as the perpetrators pretend to have taken the wrong plot or route, or offer to settle the matter by paying compensation immediately,” said president of Fransylva in the Moselle department Didier Daclin.

Forest theft can be extremely difficult to deal with, as there is currently no insurance in France against the measure. 

“When a car is stolen, you get your money back. Not in this case,” said one victim, Hubert Voisot, to Le Parisien. 

Sustained damage to the area from the shoddy work also means that the land is left essentially worthless, as trees cannot be replanted.

“In some places, the soil has been compacted and nothing will grow back. It's ruined! What am I going to leave my nephews now?” Mr Voisot added.

Read more: Is it legal to pick flowers in forests in France?