“Storm Ciara hit state forests noticeably last week,” says Peter Hauck, forest minister of Baden-Württemberg. The central and southern Black Forest, the region of Schwäbisch-Hall – Hohenlohe and Upper Swaben were most affected. According to a first rough estimate, the volume of damaged wood amounts to 1.6 million m³, of which around 500,000 to 700,000 m³ are recorded in the state-owned forests of ForstBW. The remaining volume is recorded in private and municipal forests.
In order to avoid beetle infestation in spring, a quick removal of damaged and felled trees is crucial, especially when it comes to spruce. “Now, it is vital that we all pull together,” underlines Hauck.
The state of Baden-Württemberg supports forest owners in the management of damage and in reforestation by offering consulting and financial support. Hauck sees the support of forest owners as a duty of the federal government as well.
