- The rain provides a soothing respite to the woodlands of Saxony-Anhalt
In the woods of Saxony-Anhalt, the long-standing stress brought on by lack of rain has gradually lessened these days, thanks to sufficient water this year. As reported by Anne Piechulik from the State Forest Centre, plants are thriving better than they did in the past years, and new saplings are sprouting, revitalizing the environment. The rain has also aided the growth of young plants.
However, the overabundance of rain this year has slowed down the growth of certain forest pests. Some conifer trees have managed to produce resin at drill holes to combat bark beetles and curb the infestation.
Nevertheless, the situation in Saxony-Anhalt's woods remains "extremely dire" since 2018, according to Piechulik. This is due to factors like the unusual run of hot spells coupled with scant rainfall during the growing season over the past five years.
The woods have been losing their vitality over time, as shown by increased death rates and decline. Consequently, the woods have become more vulnerable to storm damage or infestation by bark beetles or fungi. In 2022, the proportion of severely damaged trees in Saxony-Anhalt was 11 percent, nearly three times the average of 3.9 percent from 1991 to 2023.
In Saxony-Anhalt, spruce trees are most commonly reported as severely damaged (66 percent). Due to the high mortality rate since 2018, it is no longer possible to make reliable forecasts about the health of the primary tree species, spruce, in the history of the Saxony-Anhalt Forest Condition Survey. Between 2015 and 2023, the proportion of spruce trees has decreased from 17 to 2 percent.
After the long-lasting stress due to drought, the woods have finally experienced relaxation with the arrival of sufficient rain this year. Following the improved environment, individuals seeking peace and tranquility might find the woods of Saxony-Anhalt to be an excellent destination for relaxation.
