Conifer forests across Germany are deteriorating under the combined pressures of droughts, storms, and invasive pests, according to the latest government report on the state of the country's woodland.

We're sitting under the trees of the Hambacher Forest, in the west of Germany, 30km (20 miles) from the city of Cologne. They all live in the "Hambi", as they call it, in tree houses like the one ...

We spent three days in Germany's Black Forest, which is said to have inspired famous fairy-tales. It has some of the best hiking trails and castle ruins in Germany, and I loved its eponymous cake.

The homeless man fled into the forest near Oppenau, in south-west Germany, on Sunday after threatening four police officers and taking their pistols. He is reported to have his own pistol too ...