After the major forest damage caused by bark beetles in recent years, the situation in Saxony has calmed down noticeably. "After peaking in 2019 and 2020, the amount of damaged timber is declining significantly and the situation is easing across Saxony as a whole," said Lars Richter, spokesman for the Sachsenforst state enterprise. In regions such as the Vogtland and the Westerzgebirge, the infestation level is still elevated, but the dynamics are "significantly lower than in the years between 2018 and 2021".
At the start of the season, there are initial, as yet unconfirmed indications of beetle activity. "There have been reports of isolated drillings so far, but these have not yet been verified," reported Richter. More precise statements will only be possible once regular monitoring begins next week. According to the weather service, a concentrated swarming flight is rather unlikely until mid-April.
