Climatic conditions in recent years have created favourable conditions for the risk of spruce bark beetle proliferation. In Pokaiņu mežs, managed by A/s “Latvijas valsts meži” (LVM) and popular with walkers, the number of trees damaged by the European spruce bark beetle is increasing every year, which poses a threat to the safety of visitors and can destroy entire forest stands in a short period of time. To limit the spread of the pest and preserve the as yet untouched and healthy trees in the stand, it is necessary to carry out timely forest management measures – timber harvesting – in the Pokaiņu mežs area.

Damage caused by the European spruce bark beetle can be found throughout the Pokaiņu mežs area – both along roads and paths and deeper within the forest stands. Therefore, as part of forest management, timber harvesting works are already planned for this winter in Pokaiņu mežs and the adjacent areas. To provide information on the planned activities, LVM Zemgale region staff met with representatives of the Dobele Municipality in Pokaiņu mežs on 31 January. During the meeting, the largest forest stands devastated by the pests in Pokaiņu mežs were visited, and issues regarding the necessity and specifics of the area's management were discussed.