Since 2018, spruce, an emblematic conifer of our forests and timber industry, has been experiencing a major health crisis of very large scale. Thousands of hectares are dying here and across Europe.
Let’s plan for the forests of tomorrow!
The cause? The bark beetle . This spruce-specific beetle is one of Europe’s most significant forest pests. To combat it, it is crucial to remove affected trees. In addition to this pest, drought episodes and winter storms are now contributing factors.
The European spruce bark beetle (Ips Typographus) is a parasitic beetle of spruce from the Scolytidae family. A true glutton that devours weakened conifers, such as spruce, larch, Douglas fir, and white fir, its preferred meals. Once this insect attacks a conifer, it causes the death of the tree, which discolors and loses its needles. Most of the time, you can observe sawdust on the trunk.
Spruce trees are the most susceptible victims to the hunger of the European spruce bark beetle. Trees weakened by storms, drought, humidity, or the felling of other trees generally do not last long. Specimens over 70 years old are also to its liking.
This context results in the fragility of tree stands and the discouragement of many foresters, who often give up investing in the reforestation of their plots.
The SRFB is partnering with PlantC to support the reforestation of plots that have suffered a climatic or biological hazard, impacting the Belgian timber industry. The planting project aims to make the forest ecosystem more resilient and resistant to hazards. The approach integrates several species adapted to local conditions in a changing climate.
For the Belgian forest, thank you!
