Why did Jean-Baptiste Colbert regulate France’s forests?

Jean-Baptiste Colbert’s regulation of France’s forests, formalized through the Ordonnance des eaux et forêts in 1669, was primarily driven by the urgent need for naval construction.1

As secretary of state for the navy, Colbert sought to establish France as a great power at sea. This ambition required the large-scale building and equipping of the king’s ships, which necessitated a reliable and abundant supply of timber. Because the forests were one of the most corruptly administered sectors of the royal domain, Colbert implemented strict oversight to ensure that these vital resources were preserved and managed effectively to support the expansion of the French fleet.1