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Thuringia's forests bounce back after devastating bark beetle crisis

Years of relentless bark beetle attacks left Thuringia's spruce forests in ruins. Now, a stunning turnaround offers hope—but the fight isn't over yet.

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2 min read
The image shows a beetle perched on the bark of a tree in the woods, surrounded by other trees and...
The image shows a beetle perched on the bark of a tree in the woods, surrounded by other trees and a clear blue sky.

Reduced Damaged Wood - Bark Beetle Plague in Thuringia Subsides - Thuringia's forests bounce back after devastating bark beetle crisis

Thuringia's forests are recovering from years of bark beetle damage. The latest figures show a sharp drop in infested wood, with only 3,550 cubic meters left unharvested by January's end. This marks a 94% reduction compared to the same time last year.

The decline follows years of severe outbreaks, particularly in the spruce-heavy regions of the Thuringian Forest and the eastern Slate Mountains. Forest owners have taken decisive action to turn the tide.

The crisis peaked in 2024, when Thuringia recorded over 3.3 million cubic meters of beetle-damaged timber. By 2025, that number had fallen to around 473,000 cubic meters—an 86% decrease. The turnaround is largely thanks to forest managers felling and clearing infested trees before beetles could breed again.

Bark beetles thrive in weakened spruce stands, but cold weather can limit their spread. While adult beetles survive extreme cold by burrowing into soil and producing a natural antifreeze, their larvae and pupae die at around minus five degrees Celsius. Natural predators—such as woodpeckers, checkered beetles, and ground-dwelling species—also help keep populations in check.

Despite their destructive reputation, bark beetles play a role in forest ecosystems. They target sick or dying trees, speeding up decomposition and recycling nutrients into the soil. However, large-scale outbreaks can overwhelm these benefits, leading to widespread tree loss.

Authorities warn that the battle isn't over. Coniferous forest owners must stay alert as beetles begin their first swarming flights in April or May. Early detection and rapid removal of infested wood remain critical to preventing new outbreaks.

The dramatic reduction in beetle damage reflects the success of targeted control efforts. With infested wood now at a fraction of previous levels, Thuringia's forests have a chance to stabilise. Yet ongoing vigilance will be essential to maintain this progress in the years ahead.

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