Forest degradation is on the rise

In the face of persistent drought, storms, and pest infestations, including bark beetles, Germany's forests are facing a significant challenge. The amount of damaged timber in the country's forests is expected to reach a staggering 72.5 million cubic meters in 2021, with North Rhine-Westphalia bearing the brunt of the damage, at 19.3 million cubic meters.

To address this issue, the German government is providing several hundred million euros in funding for forest owners. One potential solution being explored is the use of CRISPR scissors technology for breeding more climate-resistant trees.

Karlheinz Busen, the FDP's forestry spokesman in the Bundestag, considers reforestation a "moonshot project for forest farmers." In a recent discussion, Busen outlined the possibilities offered by CRISPR scissors technology in the context of reforestation.

Current research in Germany focuses on genome editing techniques to enhance tree tolerance to prolonged drought periods. However, specific projects or published studies on CRISPR-modified trees for this trait are not detailed in the available 2025 sources. Instead, research tends to emphasise medical and infectious disease applications of CRISPR, with plant climate resistance still an emerging field. No explicit recent German research results on CRISPR-engineered drought-resistant trees were found in the provided data.

Despite this, the potential of CRISPR technology for creating climate-resilient trees is undeniable. Through the technology, it may be possible to breed trees that can cope better with long dry periods, aiding in the recovery and reforestation of Germany's forests.

The federal states are also making significant efforts in reforestation. North Rhine-Westphalia leads the way with an impressive reforestation area of 81,000 hectares, followed by Lower Saxony with 31,600 hectares and Thuringia with 36,200 hectares. Hesse and Baden-Württemberg also have substantial reforestation needs, with 10 million and 9.8 million cubic meters of damaged timber respectively.

As the fight against climate change continues, the development of climate-resilient trees could be a game-changer for Germany's forests. The use of CRISPR technology is a promising avenue for achieving this goal, and with continued research and funding, it may soon become a reality.