For more than 70 years, spruce trees grew along the side of Liepu street by Viļāni secondary school; seven have already died, and another three have started to wither.

"Many long-term residents of Viļāni, who now bring their children or grandchildren to the school, remember these spruces from their own childhood, so the damage caused by the pest is emotionally difficult," said Ivars Ikaunieks, head of the Viļāni association administration.

The dead trees will need to be felled, otherwise they may become dangerous. Ikaunieks explained that the branches of dead spruces quickly become brittle, so they may start to break in strong winds. "Unfortunately, if not now, then in the spring we will also have to fell the three spruces that are still green for the time being. The "tears" or resin discharge on the trunks of these trees indicate that the bark beetle has infested them too. The bark is starting to separate from the trees, and even though the needles are still green, the spruces are gradually dying," the head of the Viļāni association administration pointed out.