The fight against the Asian longhorn beetle (ALB) is now entering the decisive phase in Miesbach.
Since yesterday, the prescribed deciduous tree species have been removed from the district town in the hundred-meter circle around the trees that have been proven to be infested by the ALB. About 4600 trees are affected.
The city of Miesbach has commissioned three companies to carry out the measure: one for cutting down trees, one for chopping and one for transport. Yesterday, about five employees from the companies were on site. In addition, there were six from the lead state institute for agriculture (LfL) in Freising and four from the Office for Food, Agriculture and Forestry (AELF) in Holzkirchen. Five external ALB tracker dogs with their dogs completed the line-up.
As LfL spokeswoman Elke Zahner-Meike explains, the felling work takes six to eight weeks, depending on the weather. During this time, primarily those woody plants that are suspected to contain beetle larvae should be removed. Since the location is constantly being changed, it is not possible to say how many trees are felled per day. The type of wood - tree or shrub - as well as the local conditions (e.g. hillside location) also play a role here. In case of suspected infestation, wood samples are also taken.
The felling orders are not issued without resistance from private landowners. As Zahner-Meike reports, there are opposition proceedings against the notices: "Voting is still taking place here."
ddy