This is also true in Germany and probably most other European countries, use of timber for energy production and for mining and building purposes led to devastated areas in Central Europe during the 16th to 18th centuries, this was only reversed during the 19th century when coal and steel took over, and the introduction of sustainable foresting. Since then forests are growing again, with a few dips like after WW2.

Details (Selected Results of the 3rd National Forest Inventory): http://www.bmel.de/SharedDocs/Downloads/EN/Publications/Fore...