So wait, trees do not respawn?

[Coriander]

Sorry for the bump...
I agree with the new(bie) case for natural reforestation/regrowth
I would like the Devs to create and implement forest re-growth and other wild plant patch re-growth.
About two days ago, we had a neighbor move in next to us. By the time I had the chance to introduce myself, a big chunk of Pine Valley was no longer pine. A very Good neighbor, just unclear about the long term impacts of de-forestation.
Yesterday I witnessed a common act of vandalism, an apple tree was cut down at the RoB. The impacted people will be the new characters in their hunt for food.
It is natural for a plants to re-seed and re-grow. This game can and should reflect this natural order of things. If the devs want consequences for de-forestation or wild plant plot removal, how about implementing a concentric effect. 100% re-plant at the RoB dropping off to 10% in mordor? Opinions anyone?

[Caradon]

You know what would be a good idea? If fir trees slowly replanted themselves on forest tiles. This would make things a tiny bit easier for players.

Naturally planted firs will not create more forest land, only player planted firs would. In this way it would not truly create an undue strain on the game server.

[Rift]

Well, even though i agree that natural regrowing trees would be nice, i would like it to be very rare/slow, in the sence i wouldn't want places to get overgrown to quickly. Plus ... if you clearcut a area... there should be a negative concequence.
As for the issues with newbies cutting down the area around the ROB.... Really, thats more a not understanding thing.... if they had a tutorial or something just saying "IT WOULD BE HEAVILY UNWISE TO CUT DOWN THE TREES THAT YOU NEED TO LIVE AND GROW AS A NEW PLAYER" it would likely help the problem.

[Vattic]

This has been suggested a number of times before and at least once by myself. The problem is the size of the maps and the potential number of trees especially when the maps become potentially boundless. Loftar has said he would like natural tree regrowth but yeah there are server strain problems. Lets hope he figures out a way.

[Coriander]

This has been suggested a number of times before and at least once by myself. The problem is the size of the maps and the potential number of trees especially when the maps become potentially boundless. Loftar has said he would like natural tree regrowth but yeah there are server strain problems. Lets hope he figures out a way.

Thanks for bringing out this issue before Vattic. I did not consider the strain on the server.
As a short term patch, I suggest significantly increasing the difficulty necessary to cut down a tree.

[Caradon]

This has been suggested a number of times before and at least once by myself. The problem is the size of the maps and the potential number of trees especially when the maps become potentially boundless. Loftar has said he would like natural tree regrowth but yeah there are server strain problems. Lets hope he figures out a way.

Thanks for bringing out this issue before Vattic. I did not consider the strain on the server.
As a short term patch, I suggest significantly increasing the difficulty necessary to cut down a tree.

Or they could make it easier to replant a tree.

Like.. Coring and planting an apple, or planting a fir raw should leave a small mound in the game, if it takes, itll turn into a planted tree.
This should take some time, this should be the way trees replant themselves naturally anyway.

Treeplanters pots would have a significant benefit. Fast tree growth and forest tile expansion. The other methods wont expand a forest, and can only be planted on forest tiles.

[EveryTimeV]

Trees thrive, believe me I know. I've had a particular species of tree in my back garden that has sprouted 3-4 On my side of the garden and possibly a few on the other side where my neighbour lives.

Tree's are normally very hard to get rid of, you can poison them but it will not die, you can burn them but it actually helps the trees grow new trees.

Ever been to Australia? They have so many bushfires, and they're actually healthy for the forests.

If the game had any sort of real life mechanics, tree forestation would be a lot more of a problem than de-forestation.

[Vattic]

How things are currently reminds me of how stone age Britons managed to almost completely deforest Britain.

[EveryTimeV]

How things are currently reminds me of how stone age Britons managed to almost completely deforest Britain.

We practically did. We have a very small amount of woodland compared to other landmass. Besides sherwood from general knowledge I cannot name a single other forest in England that is sizeable.

Scotland however is another story.

[lazerdix]

My solution to the problem:

On any mass of forest tile, there can only be X number of allotted naturally grown trees (were X is proportional at at 1:3 or 1:4 ratio to forest tiles in a batch). If a tree is cut down, the forest tiles will eventually regrow until X number of trees is satisfied. Planted trees do not count. Trees can only grow back if there is ONE natural born tree left in the woods (ie: if a "clearcut" modifier is on). If a forest tile group is completely deforested and a new tree is planted, then the "clearcut" modifier can switch back off.

Basically this makes a few batches of large forests that maintain their own growth. Probably would dick the servers though, but hey, need to upgrade anyways so why not!

EDIT: of course if the server is keeping track of the timings of all these time related chores (tanning, smelting, baking etc etc) then these calculations should really be a cinch.