Forest is defined as land with tree crown cover (meaning all parts of the tree above ground level including its leaves, branches etc.), or equivalent stocking level, of more than 10 % and with an area of more than 0.5 hectares (ha). The trees should be able to reach a minimum height of 5 metres at maturity in situ.

Source: EUROSTAT

"forest" means an area of land spanning more than 0,5 hectares with trees higher than 5 meters and a canopy cover of more than 10 percent, or trees able to reach these thresholds in situ; and does not include land that is predominantly under agricultural or urban land use, subject to paragraph 2.

2.   A Member State or region may choose to apply a forest definition, other than the one in point (r) of paragraph 1, based on existing national law or inventory system. The Member States or regions shall provide such definition in the rural development programme;

Source: EURO-Lex

A vegetation community dominated by trees and other woody shrubs, growing close enough together that the tree tops touch or overlap, creating various degrees of shade on the forest floor. It may produce benefits such as timber, recreation, wildlife habitat, etc.

Source: EEA Glossary

Land with a tree canopy cover of more than 10 % and an area of more than 0.5 ha.

Source: EEA Glossary