The fungus follows the ALB: Tree felling in Miesbach necessary again

Created: 03/21/2022, 07:00

By: Sebastian Grauvogl

Too much light: Due to the increased solar radiation after the ALB felling, some beeches in the Miesbacher Hallenwald are infested with a fungus.

© Max Kalup

The chainsaws will soon be screeching again in Miesbach.

Several beeches suffer from fungal infestation.

The cause: the strong sunlight caused by deforestation due to the ALB.

Miesbach

– Sunburn is not healthy.

This applies not only to people, but also to trees, explained expert Korbinian Wolf to the Miesbach city council.

The new head of the forest department at the Office for Food, Agriculture and Forestry (AELF) was forced to deliver an unpleasant message at his first public appointment.

Several beeches in the hall forest were badly damaged by solar radiation and the resulting fungal infestation.

A late consequence of deforestation caused by the Asian long-horned beetle (ALB).

Subsequent plantings do not provide sufficient shade

The replanting of oak, sweet chestnut and walnut would develop well, but by no means suffice to offer the sun-sensitive beech trees shade, explained Wolf.

As a result, their lap was partially torn open – an entry gate for the so-called split leaf.

This, in turn, causes the trees to suffer from white rot - and sooner or later they perish from it.

Since the hall forest is also frequented by those looking for relaxation due to the recently renovated footpath, felling is unavoidable for reasons of traffic safety, according to Wolf.

Also read: ALB cases: EU examines petitions from Miesbach

An examination by arborist Anton Linsinger has shown that two beeches are already so weak that they have to be removed in autumn.

Wolf estimated the costs at 4000 euros (careful removal by tree climbers) or 2500 euros (removal with a cable winch).

Five other trees were also affected by the fungus, but would last another four to five years.

16 other beeches had a chance of rescue.

These could either be painted white tree paint (2100 euros per trunk) or covered with plastic camouflage nets (1300 euros) to protect them from the sun.

Wolf advised the second variant, as it maintains air circulation and is better at preventing fungal infestation.

Mayor Gerhard Braunmiller (CSU) described the news as "very regrettable".

Although the financing of the measures is covered by the ALB funds in the budget, “how we deal with the trees is already effective in public”.

Deforestation or rescue?

Intensive discussion in the city council

The city councilors were also aware of this, as the intensive discussion showed.

Tree consultant Michael Lechner (FWG) spoke out against the costly rescue measures.

One should rather rely on further replanting and thus on natural regeneration.

"It's brutal at first, but then we'll finally have peace." Apart from the two beeches that are no longer stable, you should wait until the end of the ALB quarantine period in two and a half years to start felling.

"Then we can at least use the wood regularly." Erhard Pohl (CSU) also saw no alternative to swallowing this "bitter pill".

Despite the "incredibly influential incision in the townscape" one should "give the youth a chance".

Manfred Burger (Greens) campaigned for the preservation of at least the tribes.

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Paul Fertl (SPD), on the other hand, pleaded for “danger prevention instead of a tabula rasa” and in retrospect criticized what he saw as the very “broad” ALB cases.

"We knew the warnings, now we are confronted with reality." Astrid Güldner (Greens) regretted that the city had not taken protective measures to preserve the beeches earlier.

Also interesting: After ALB deforestation: Citizens donate for replanting

Before the decision was made, Markus Seemüller (FWG) suggested only deciding on the urgently needed fellings for the time being.” But tree expert Linsinger warned: “If nothing is done now, further damage will follow.” Reason enough for Malin Friese (Greens), about it to vote separately.

Braunmiller complied with this wish.

The result: a unanimous yes for the removal of the two most affected beech trees - and a majority no (4:17 votes) for the protection of other trees.

So it will soon be even lighter in the hall forest.

so called