Because it hasn’t rained for so long, the trees suffer a great “thirst”. As a result, the forest is already turning yellow, which evokes autumn feelings, but that is much too early. The drought stress of the spruce this year only promotes the pests: the second generation of the bark beetle is already active.
It’s “autumn” in the woods when you let your gaze wander over the deciduous trees – and that’s clearly too early. “Normally, the leaves don’t change color until mid or late September,” says Matthias Berger, head of the Frauschereck Federal Forest District in Upper Austria’s Kobernausserwald.
However, the extremely hot days without rain of recent weeks have weakened not only the spruce trees, but also many deciduous trees, which respond to their “thirst” with yellow leaves. They fall off quickly, leaving the forest bare unusually early.
Consequences unstoppable, even with the recent rain
“I’ve been here in the area for twelve years, we’re experiencing a new peak,” Berger says. Because the groundwater level in the Kobernausserwald has dropped particularly sharply. The selective rain phases of the past few days no longer stop the consequences for the forest.
Bark beetle plague continues
The drought stress also makes the spruce an easy prey for the bark beetle. In the federal forest areas of the entire federal state of Upper Austria, 30,000 solid cubic meters of “Käferholz” have accumulated so far. Just like last year, the forests north of the Mondsee and the Kobernausserwald are particularly hard hit.
One thing is certain: the damage will only increase, because the second generation of the bark beetle has just become active. If it stays warm and mild, a third generation is expected.
The good news: In general, the amount of damaged wood in the first seven months is currently still below the relative value of the previous year, due to less snowfall and storms in winter.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
