This dataset provides estimates of forest cover from various sources, including FAO, USDA Forest Service, DEFRA, Forest Research and others. The details for the historical estimates are provided below:

• The FAO Global Forest Resources Assessment (FRA) data is used for all countries for the 1990 onwards.
• China (1000-1960): He et al. (2025): Reconstructing forest and grassland cover changes in China over the past millennium
• Costa Rica (1940-1969): Kleinn et al. (2002): Forest area in Costa Rica: A comparative study of tropical forest cover estimates over time
• England (1086-1650): Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) report: Government Forestry and Woodlands Policy Statement
• England (1870-1980): Forest Research report: National inventory of woodland and trees
• England (2019): Scottish Government report: Scotland's Forestry Strategy: 2019-2029
• France (1000-1976): Mather et al. (1999): The course and drivers of the forest transition in France
• Japan (1600-1985): Saito, O. (2009): Forest history and the Great Divergence: China, Japan, and the West compared
• Philippines (1934-1988): Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) report: One century of forest rehabilitation in the Philippines
• Scotland (1600-1750): Mather, A.S. (2008)
• Scotland (1870-1988): Forest Research report: National inventory of woodland and trees
• Scotland (2019): Scottish Government report: Scotland's Forestry Strategy: 2019-2029
• South Korea (1948-1980): Bae J.S. et al. (2012) Forest transition in South Korea: Reality, path and drivers
• Taiwan (1904-1982): Chen Y et al (2019) Reconstructing Taiwan’s land cover changes between 1904 and 2015 from historical maps and satellite images
• United States (1630-1907): U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service (USDA FS) report: U.S. Forest Facts and Historical Trends
• United States (1920-1987): U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service (USDA FS) report (2014): U.S. Forest Resource Facts and Historical Trends
• Vietnam (1943-1985): Forest Science Institute of Vietnam (FSIV) and Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) report: Vietnam Forestry Outlook Study