[codr7]

I lived there for five years; and let me tell you, it's not fun at all.

Just finding enough trees in one place to take a 20min forest walk in northern Germany is a major challenge.

But I was born in Sweden, so I have pretty high expectations when it comes to forests :)

[RGamma]

Apparently forest cover is ~30%. Note that "forest" here uses the wood industry's definition of forest (tree plantation), not the ecological one.

Also, it blows my mind every day how thorough and complete our estrangement with nature has become... Barely anyone seems to notice or be disturbed by the loss of natural heritage in this country.

[m_fayer]

I grew up in northeastern America and have gotten used to it's wilderness. After moving to Berlin, I was shocked to discover that much of what looked like "forests" on the maps of Eastern Germany are actually just grids of identical coniferous trees in a barely-alive landscape, criss-crossed by dirt roads.

Conversely, it never ceases to amuse and sadden me how astounded Germans are by my stories of wilderness just a few hours drive from NYC.

[fransje26]

Pro tip. Don't go to the Netherlands...

[ragebol]

If you ever get lost in here in The Netherlands, just walk straight for 30 minutes and you'll hit a probably decent, paved road. Or stand still and wait for the sounds of a car.

I might me exaggerating for some exceptional places, but not much.