U.S. faces hurdles in forest recovery and replanting after wildfires

The U.S. faces challenges in replanting forests after severe wildfires, with many areas unlikely to recover naturally. Researchers are exploring which tree species can survive in changing climates, but a lack of seeds, seedlings, and trained workers hampers efforts. Wildfires have become larger and more intense, destroying seed trees and creating burn scars too vast for natural regeneration. The gap between areas needing replanting and available resources has reached 3.8 million acres, potentially tripling by 2050. To address these issues, new initiatives like the New Mexico Reforestation Center aim to produce millions of seedlings annually. The Forest Service is modernizing nurseries and seeking partnerships, but the increasing frequency of wildfires complicates site preparation for replanting.