Oak splendor threatens NRW: Experts warn of massive damage!

Oak splendor threatens NRW: Experts warn of massive damage!

In North Rhine-Westphalia, warnings are urgently warned of the oak beetle, a dangerous pest that not only does great damage, but also quickly becomes a danger to oak forests. The beetle, which affects particularly stem and grape oaks, leaves striking black mucus traces and D-shaped boreholes in the bark of the trees. According to Ruhr24 are particularly badly affected by the regions of Münsterland, Eastwestfalen, Rhineland and Siegerland. The rapid spread of the beetle is worrying because an affected tree can infect up to ten more within one year.

The spring reports show that dying individual trees and groups of trees are particularly affected. This damage is currently not comparable to those in other federal states in NRW. The forest authorities urgently warn forest owners to precisely check their oak stocks and, if necessary, to fell the trees infected at an early stage. Experts also recommend transporting the trees out of the forest by mid -May at the latest to prevent the beetle from spreading. The wood infected trees usually only has the value of firewood and can present the forest owners with economic challenges.

growing threat from the oak core beetle

In addition to the oak beetle, the oak beetle is another danger, the mainly affected tribes colonized and puts in the wood. This beetle can appear from June and has gained importance in recent years. As Forest and Holz NRW , lying oak tribes must be removed to minimize damage.

The problems are tightened by the continued drought in recent years. Oaks are weakened and cannot defend themselves sufficiently against the infestation. Under the unfavorable conditions, the larvae of the oak beetle develop faster than usual, which makes it even more difficult to fight. In Hennef, in the Rhein-Sieg district, 20 percent of the oaks have to be felled, said district forester Michael Trippe. Half -mouth -shaped feeding holes and dark discoloration on the trunk are common signs of infestation.

preventive measures and the future outlook

In order to counteract the spread of the beetle, forester took measures to search specifically for the pest. Dr. Christin Carl from the Landesbetrieb Wald and Holz NRW warns of a comprehensive spread and emphasizes the need for targeted felling. Another glimmer of hope is the possibility of considering drones to identify weakened oaks, as is already being discussed in Hesse.