Geisa revives its forest with 650 new trees after beetle devastation
Geisa’s municipal team has planted 650 new trees in the city’s communal forest. The effort replaces spruce trees lost to bark beetle damage and aims to strengthen the woodland for the future. Workers installed 600 larches and 50 silver firs across a 0.3-hectare area.
The planting took place in a section previously hit by bark beetle infestations. Spruce trees had struggled there, so officials chose larches for their drought resistance, fast growth, and need for sunlight. Container-grown seedlings ensured better survival rates in the challenging conditions.
Silver firs were added beneath old pine trees, where their shade tolerance and strong roots make them well-suited. Blue fibre-glass stakes marked the planting zones and shielded young saplings from animals and birds. Mayor Manuela Henkel thanked the municipal staff and public works team for their contribution. She highlighted the project as a vital step in maintaining healthy forests for coming generations.
The new plantings cover an area of roughly 0.3 hectares. Larches and silver firs were selected for their ability to thrive where spruce trees failed. The marked stakes will remain in place to safeguard the young trees as they establish.
