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Forest health preserved: fewer bark beetles thanks to rainy weather!
Kitzingen on October 31, 2025: Less bark beetle damage in forests thanks to rainy weather; Forestry experts warn of the consequences of climate change.
Forest health preserved: fewer bark beetles thanks to rainy weather!
There is reason for relief in the Würzburg-Kitzingen region: last summer's rainy weather not only allowed nature to flourish, but also thwarted the bark beetles' plans. How Radio gong reported that the number of bark beetle larvae in the forests was below the warning threshold. The forestry authorities confirm that the water supply to the trees has increased due to the rainfall, which has enabled them to defend themselves against the pests without bidding.
The larvae of the bark beetle, which normally wreak havoc between the bark and wood, were weakened by fungal infestation in winter. Fortunately, this development has also resulted in a reduction in damage caused by pests both regionally and nationally. Forest owners should still remain vigilant and check their trees for brown spots in the crowns and drill dust.
A look at the overall development of the forests
Despite the positive news from the region, the challenges facing German forests should not be underestimated. Loud ZDF Today Forest management and the choice of tree species must change significantly in order to meet the challenges posed by climate change. Storms, heat waves and dry periods take a toll on trees and increase pest attacks. Spruce trees in particular show worrying death rates and are severely affected by bark beetle infestation.
A well-known heat and drought stress not only leads to a decline in tree health, but also to increased infestation rates, as has been seen in the Harz since 2018. Old spruce forests have been massively decimated here. At high altitudes in the low mountain ranges, the temperatures can even be sufficient for the breeding of the book printer.
The future of forests is changing
The effects are serious: almost half of the oaks examined suffer from crown thinning, while various factors such as floods and pests affect oak forests. In general, four out of five trees in Germany have health problems, be it due to beech complex disease or sooty bark disease in maple trees. The ash tree population has been severely depleted, which is due to ash shoot dieback caused by the fungus Hymenoscyphus pseudoalbidus.
To counteract this, experts recommend rethinking forest management and relying on permanent mixed forests instead of relying on pure stands. Future tree species such as hornbeam, white elm and alder could provide a more stable basis for the forests of tomorrow.
Dialogue about the future of our forests is crucial. Developments in forest management are significantly influenced by the constant changes in the climate and the associated challenges. Attention to existing tree health and preventive measures are important for sustainable forest management.