Günther: State of Saxony's forests a cause for concern

Despite countermeasures and somewhat more favorable conditions in 2024, the condition of Saxony's forests has not improved significantly. A good one in three trees is still significantly damaged. According to the latest analysis, the proportion fell from 35 to 34 percent compared to the previous year. Only 22% had no recognizable damage, compared to 23% in 2023.

At 25.9%, the average loss of needles and leaves is currently only slightly below the previous year's figure. "Despite the higher rainfall this year, Saxony's forests are still doing badly," said Environment Minister Wolfram Günther (Greens). "The condition of the forest remains worrying."

Günther: wounds caused by climate crisis and bark beetle

According to Günther, the climate crisis and bark beetle have left "deep wounds" since 2018, with climate change making it too dry and too warm. Without the forest conversion that has been pushed forward in recent years, the situation would look even more dramatic and integrative, nature-based forest management would also help. "The aim was and must be to create climate-stable, species- and structure-rich, productive mixed forests."

According to state forestry president Utz Hempfling, the soil reservoir has been replenished somewhat thanks to increased precipitation. The drought is no longer quite so widespread. The amount of damaged timber caused by the bark beetle could be further limited by means of intensive infestation monitoring and consistent remediation. This must be continued in the coming year, "as the situation remains critical".

Light crowns and needle loss in spruce and larch

According to the current forest status report, the crowns of less than a quarter of the trees are without noticeable damage. At 25.1 percent, the average needle loss of spruce is the fourth highest ever recorded and is well above the long-term average. In the case of pine, it fell slightly to 22.5 percent. Here, only 14 percent have healthy crowns. Infestation by bark beetles and jewel beetles remains comparatively high in some regions. Crown thinning (leaf and needle loss) also increased further in other conifers such as larches to 25.5 percent - a record level. Deciduous trees such as oak, beech, maple, ash and birch continue to be damaged by pest infestation and drought.

Oak the problem child

With an average crown thinning of 45 percent, the oak is the problem child. "Undamaged oaks are practically no longer to be found in Saxony's forests," it said. Only 19 percent are considered to be slightly damaged, 80 percent significantly damaged. The proportion of healthy beech trees also decreased to 35 percent.

In addition to crown thinning and the degree of yellowing, other characteristics such as flowering, fruiting, number of needle years as well as biotic damage, for example caused by insects and fungi, and abiotic damage, for example caused by drought, fire and storms, were recorded on 6,504 trees to record the condition of the forest.