Storm-damaged timber fuels bark beetle threat in Sweden

The spring heat has triggered the swarming season for spruce bark beetles across large parts of Sweden, raising concerns about new forest damage in regions already heavily affected by winter storms. According to the Swedish Forest Agency, bark beetles have now begun flying in most storm-affected areas except the far north. The highest catches in monitoring traps have so far been recorded in Dalarna and Gävleborg counties, where large volumes of windfallen spruce still remain in forests after storms Johannes and Dave. Storm Johannes during the winter brought down nearly 11 million m³ of forest, while ...