About 12 million cubic metres have been estimated to be damaged in the recent storm that swept southern Sweden 14 January. Next to the storm “Gudrun” two years ago this is the most severe storm since 1969. Much of the storm-felled trees are within areas that already have a high risk of large-scale outbreak of the European Spruce bark beetle.

A preliminary assessment by the Swedish Forest Agency points at about 12 million cubic metres damaged by the storm. The assessment is based on reports from the agency’s district offices. The area around Mariestad (Western Götaland) is the most affected but also the area around Ljungby, that also was the most heavily affected by “Gudrun”, has reported extensive damages on the forest.
While the damages are less than those caused by ”Gudrun” the Geographic area effected by the storm is larger. Entire Götaland (Southern Sweden) is affected, with a concentration to the western and central parts. A major share are therefore within the same area that were worst hit by “Gudrun” two years ago. This storm will therefore aggravate an already severe situation of large-scale attacks by the European spruce bark beetle in Southern Sweden.
- This creates pressure for rapid processing of the wind-felled trees, says Mr. Magnus Fridh, Head of the Analyst Division at the Swedish Forest Agency and coordinator of the agency’s information activities following the storm.