Processing of storm consequences in the forest
environment
In the forest above Innsbruck, the consequences of three storms in the first half of the year have to be dealt with. Trees to the extent of 4,000 cubic meters of wood were uprooted. One area in the Kranebitten district is most affected.
Two storms earlier in the year – in February – and a third on Pentecost Sunday uprooted around 4,000 meters of solid wood in Innsbruck. The wooded areas north of the city were particularly affected. Climate change would intensify the weather extremes, according to the Deputy Mayor of the City of Innsbruck, Johannes Anzengruber (ÖVP).
According to Anzengruber, it is particularly important to remove the uprooted trees as quickly as possible in order to prevent the spread of bark beetles. The storm damage is still being repaired. Whether a bark beetle infestation could be prevented can only be determined in the coming years. The damaged wood after this year’s storms could only be partially processed.
Kranebitten particularly affected
In the course of the storms in February, the district of Kranebitten was particularly affected. The city announced on Monday that around half of the 2,000 solid cubic meters of damaged wood were damaged in the course of these extreme weather conditions. A total of 7,000 square meters of forest were destroyed in Kranebitten.
Forest warden Andreas Hell also confirms an increase in the intensity of the weather. In his 30 years of work, he has never seen such a large amount of damage in such a short time.
predominantly private forest areas affected
Many affected forest areas are privately owned. Therefore, a strong exchange is important, since not all landowners have the opportunity and know-how to remove the damaged wood properly. In addition, the measures required for removal are relatively expensive for private individuals. Therefore, the agreements, felling work, the removal and part of the sale of his tasks, according to the forest warden.
Cable car for bringing wood
What is still suitable as timber after the storm damage is delivered to sawmills and sold. A cable car was installed last week in the Nordkette area below the Umbrüggler Alm to transport the wood from the site. The Innsbruck pastures also get wood in the course of processing. The rest of the damaged wood is to be sold to bio-heating plants. In order to repair the protective forest intended for the future, the destroyed forest areas are being reforested, according to the city of Innsbruck.