world news - 24.09.2007
Severe bark beetle attacks in Sweden
Not later than 15 August the storm felled timber should have been
removed from roadsides in order to prevent it from becoming breeding
ground for a new generation of spruce bark beetles. During August the
Swedish Forest Agency has initiated investigations of storm felled
timber that has not yet been taken care of.
In a press release Mr Lennart Svensson, manager of the Forest Agency's
survey project, says that the situation is still serious. The cold and
rainy weather this summer was favourable for the trees and unfavourable
for the bark beetles, but nevertheless the beetle population is still
considerable. The big amount of timber left in the forest and at
roadsides after 1 July will probably constitute a risk of renewed
attacks next year.
For the purpose of helping forest owners and forestry to find attacked
trees the Forest Agency will conduct a helicopter inventory in August
and September of certain regions in Southern Sweden. In areas where
damaged forest is found forest — and landowners will be provided with
maps indicating the location of the damage and written advice how to
act. A follow-up of the extent of bark beetle damage will also be made
in the course of the autumn.
See also:
- — Canada: Huge drop in timber supply predicted
- — Stora Enso sells out in North-America
- — Brazilian furniture producers shift focus to flooring
- — Egger Romania starts buying wood for new plant
- — Law against illegal logging to be made tougher