Over recent decades, both forest fires and various forest pest infestations have destroyed vast areas of forest in the western United States and Canada. The European forestry sector has looked upon these events with considerable disbelief, hoping that such a situation would not be repeated in Europe. However, many forests in Europe are currently facing a simultaneous convergence of adverse conditions: drought, excessive heat, severe storms and bark beetle infestations. This coincidence or combination of unfavourable circumstances is having a very negative and significant impact on the roundwood market in Europe.

As a result of this convergence of adverse natural conditions, a record volume of dead and dying timber – primarily spruce – has accumulated in European forests. Naturally, this needs to be "salvaged" as much as possible, which is why the market is flooded with damaged timber. The bark beetle infestation has hit the Czech Republic the hardest, but it has also caused serious problems for Germany, Austria, Slovakia, France and not just these countries alone!