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Forest Director Dr. Farmer: Last call against the bark beetle!
Dr. Arthur Bauer, forestry director in the Cham district, is planning his retirement. Bark beetle threat requires action from forest owners.
Forest Director Dr. Farmer: Last call against the bark beetle!
A look at the developments in the Cham district shows that forest director Dr. Arthur Bauer is retiring on Saturday, July 19, 2025, after 17 years as head of the forestry department at the Office for Food, Agriculture and Forestry (AELF) Cham. During a last conversation in the Plenterwald on the Höllhöhe, he gave insights into his plans for the future. Dr. During his time in office, Bauer contributed a lot to improving the forests in the district and is particularly known for his dedicated work.
But before Dr. When Bauer withdraws, he has an urgent concern: the first swarming of bark beetles is imminent, and the forest owners in the district are called upon to control their forests. In a current campaign, together with the AELF, he is appealing to forest owners to take care of repairing snow and storm damage from last winter. This damage, especially in the spruce stands, has not yet been completely eliminated and offers ideal breeding conditions for bark beetles. Regions such as Traitsching, Schorndorf, Falkenstein, Pemfling, Rötz and Schönthal are particularly affected. Mittelbayerische reports on the challenges that forest owners face and the risks that inaction entails.
Dangers from bark beetles
The dangers of the bark beetle should not be underestimated. Current information makes it clear that pest populations have increased significantly in recent years due to drought and heat. Dr. Bauer warns: “An infestation from a single tree can quickly make 20 other trees infectious.” With a potential increase to 60 million bark beetles within a year, which can infest up to 8,000 spruce trees, quick action is required. The development of the beetles from an egg to an adult pest can take as little as six to eight weeks.
The experts recommend checking the coniferous forests regularly, at least every four weeks between April 1st and September 30th. “Red tones in the treetops or falling bark are clear signs of an infestation,” explains Dr. farmer. If an infestation has been identified, it is advisable to process the infected wood as soon as possible or to store it at least 500 meters from other mixed coniferous forests in order to prevent uncontrolled spread. A further risk arises from the possibility of a replacement by the district office if forest owners do not comply with this obligation - this could result in additional costs.
The legacy of Dr. Arthur Bauer
While saying goodbye to Dr. Bauer's commitment to forest management remains central. The contacts he provided to the authorities for food, agriculture and forestry will also be available after his retirement announcement to support and advise forest owners. Information can also be viewed online in order to reach as many forest owners as possible.
Dr. Arthur Bauer had a significant impact on the Cham district during his time in office. His diverse initiatives and his tireless commitment to local forests are appreciated by many and remain in the memory, even after he has left his obligations behind. Let's wait and see how the situation surrounding bark beetle development will develop in the coming weeks and what steps need to be taken to preserve forest resources.