The majority of forests on Ruhnu originate from the dunes of Higher-Ruhnu. The forests have mostly started growing naturally. Ruhnu forest ecosystem is completely unique compared to the rest of Estonia, the main reasons behind this are the marine climate and the distinctive soil type on the island. In November 1969, a storm destroyed about 65% of the forest on the island (about 39,000 tm of forest was destroyed in the storm and due to bark beetle damage that followed), much damage was also caused by a storm in 2005 (1,000 tm of forest was destroyed).

The dry boreal forests (boreal heath forests, dry boreal forests, fresh boreal forests, fresh boreo-nemoral forests, water swamp forest, minerotrophic swamp forests and poor paludified forests) are the most common forest types on Ruhnu. Dry boreal forests are rich of European blueberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) and plants specific to Ruhnu as twinflower (Linnaea borealis) and the round shape and light green color pincushion moss (Leucobryum glaucum).

Two other main types by the area of stands are the fresh boreal forests and the paludified forests. European spruce is the most widespread tree in fresh boreal forests and wood sorrel (Oxalis acetosella) makes up to 70% of the groundcover. In paludified forests the black alder is most common tree, male fern is dominant in fresh boreo-nemoral forests groundcover.

Compared to the previous years, there is more forestation on Lower-Ruhnu (mainly on former grasslands that have been used for livestock farming).

In 1979, Ruhnu was given over to the Kaarepera forest station that belonged under the Estonian Forest Institute. In 1979 and 1980 non-native tree species (mostly spruces) were planted in the windthrow area for the purpose of introduction, some of the planted trees still remain. At present, state forest on the island belongs to the Kuressaare forest area of the State Forest Management Centre’s Saaremaa forest district. More than 290 ha of forest is private property.

Created in 2014