Most of the existing forests in Cyprus were planted systematically by the British Collonial administration in Cyprus after they acquired the island in 1878. In north Cyprus, most forests consist of pine trees and in some areas of maquis type vegetation including olive and carob trees. There are some regions where ecualiptus (sp?) trees were planted in order to dry up the swamps that were reason for various diseases when the British came. In Morphou (Guzelyurt) region there are large orchards of citrus plants.

The British put up a considerable amount of effort to replant the replenished forests of the island. They also issues a variety of laws for the protection of the forests. For example, there were very strict laws to keep goats from freely roaming around in the forests. Forest roads were constructed and maintained in order to keep forest fires isolated and to allow adequate access to fight the fires.

Unfortunately, after the British rule ended the Cypriot leaderships did not pay the needed attention to preserve and maintain the forests. In north Cyprus, the corruption of the system and the lack of interest for anything other than the so-called "national cause" led to massive destruction of the forests. Several large forest fires since 1974 destroyed a great deal of the existing forests. In 1994, one large forest fire destroyed the forests on Pentadactylos (Besparmak) mountains from Lapithos all the way to Bufavento castle. In 1999, another large forest fire destroyed a very large area near Limnitis (Yesilirmak) area.

Furthermore, a great deal of local production of olives, carobs and citrus has been destroyed due to unfair competition by imports from Turkey and other problems. Eventhough these plants were mainly for farming purposes they helped the island's environment by providing some form of vegetation cover.

The corrupted governments are also not enforcing the existing protection laws. Goats now freely roam around in forest areas destroying the trees. Forest roads are not being maintained and they are one of the main reasons why large forest fires are happening more often. Deforestation also takes place for building new roads, limestone mines and so-called "national monuments".