‘Benign neglect’ led to world’s largest forest recovery in New England, experts say

On the US 250th anniversary, scientists are celebrating a major environmental comeback in New England.

When settlers arrived, they cleared forests for agriculture. Massachusetts lost an estimated 90% of its forests. Across New England, losses reached about 80%.

The trend reversed in the mid-1800s. As farmers moved west, fields in New England were abandoned. Without active replanting, trees returned on their own.

Today, Massachusetts is about 60% forested. “The regrowth of forest in the northeast US, particularly New England, is the greatest forest recovery in the history of the world,” said Bill Moomaw of the Woodwell Climate Research Center.

He called it “benign neglect” — not a government plan, but the result of farmland being left to nature.

The recovery is now being cited as an example of natural regeneration. Researchers say it shows how quickly ecosystems can recover when human pressure eases, and could inform modern climate and reforestation policy.