Lebanon’s forests, long celebrated as a vital part of the country’s green heritage, are facing one of the most severe environmental crises in decades, with drought, soaring temperatures, and persistent heatwaves threatening to dry out trees and foliage across the country.

The phenomenon, affecting forests from Harissa to Akkar and the slopes of Chouf and Aley, underscores the vulnerability of Lebanon’s ecosystem to climate change and inadequate water management. Experts warn that the issue is no longer a seasonal concern but a serious threat to the nation’s remaining forest cover.

Officials from the Ministry of Agriculture first raised alarms on August 30, acknowledging the unprecedented drying but emphasizing that it was not caused by pests or disease. Rather, the ministry said, it was the result of extreme weather conditions, including heatwaves and severe drought, which have accelerated leaf fall and caused early aging in trees, particularly in soils unable to retain moisture. The ministry reassured the public that the phenomenon does not yet endanger the trees’ survival, and called for an early rainy season to restore green cover.

Yet rains have not arrived. By the first week of November, much of Lebanon remains parched, leaving the ministry monitoring the situation with limited ability to intervene.

“This is a natural disaster caused by climate change,” Farouk Salman, an agricultural expert and director of nurseries at the Forest Wealth and Development Association, told Nidaa Al-Watan newspaper. 

He explained that while Lebanon has historically experienced droughts, the current severity is unprecedented in modern times.

The current wave of dryness has primarily affected broadleaf oak species, including oaks, hawthorns, and holm oaks. Inadequate rainfall during the winter of 2025, combined with high August temperatures, has caused water to evaporate before reaching tree roots. Normally, trees enter a dormant period from mid-July to mid-September, conserving deep-water reserves. This year, low rainfall and extreme heat accelerated leaf dehydration, while dry soils prevented recovery.

Trees usually resume growth with the arrival of rain in mid-September, but this year precipitation has failed to materialize. Experts caution that it is unclear whether the drought has affected only branches or also trunks; if trunks are compromised, trees may die, but if only leaves are affected, they may recover in spring, albeit weakened.

Environmentalists note that sun-exposed slopes are the hardest hit, while flat and water-rich areas are less affected. Areas with groundwater, springs, or wells have been able to sustain tree vitality, highlighting the importance of water resources in mitigating drought damage.

Harissa and Bkirki, normally dense oak forests nourished by coastal humidity, have also begun to show signs of severe dryness. Six months without rain, combined with August heat, has dried out the soil, and humidity alone is insufficient to sustain the trees.

While pests such as pine weevils have proliferated due to high temperatures, experts say they are not responsible for the widespread tree die-off. For oaks affected by drought, recovery is possible in spring if trunks survive, though regrowth will be weaker due to lost foliage. Rejuvenation techniques exist but require financial and human resources currently unavailable in Lebanon. Most interventions have been limited to sampling and monitoring.

The prolonged drought also heightens fire risk, with dry trees vulnerable to both wildfires and infestations. Trees stripped of their leaves are weaker and more susceptible to pests and diseases, which could further escalate tree loss. Pine borers, for example, can sever connections between trunk and branches, causing tree death.

Despite active monitoring, Lebanon’s Agriculture Ministry lacks the resources to intervene effectively. Large-scale irrigation would require aircraft and military support, both currently limited. As a result, the fate of Lebanon’s forests rests largely in the hands of nature.