The period 2022-2025 was catastrophic for forest trees, in the sense that an increase in deadlocks/droughts has been recorded, which is observed in periods where there are successive years of rainfall and drought, such as the periods 2022-2023, 2023-2024, 2024-2025.
In addition to the weather conditions and not counting the fires, some of which destroy large areas of forests, many trees are also decimated by large populations of insects to deal with which the Department of Forests sets traps. It is noted that most of the trees that are destroyed are pines (trachea pine) that cover 90% of the forests of Cyprus.
The above image emerged as a result of a search in the forests and the situation is described in response to a question by AKEL Limassol MP, Marina Nicolaou. The Minister of Agriculture, Maria Panagiotou, responding to Ms. Nikolaou, states that usually the areas that are first affected in successive years of rainfall and drought are the southern and eastern areas of the mountainous areas and then the northern and western ones. In the same way, the semi-mountainous and lowland areas, which usually suffer the most in a wider single forest area, are affected.
Also, plants/trees, which grow in torrent beds, streams, especially in low-altitude areas, quickly show water stress and are among the first to die. It is noted that when plants suffer from water stress, they are most often secondarily attacked by large populations of bark-eating insects first and later by wood-eaters (insects), as a result of which they die in a very short period of time.
To the question, "what measures does the Department of Forests take to monitor the health of trees and deal with phenomena of extensive drying?", the minister, after mentioning that the Department of Forests constantly monitors phytosanitary issues, mainly in state forests, but also in private forest areas and where and where it can intervene, also records the following:
>> Installation of an extensive network of traps of bark-eating insects to monitor their populations.
>> In some cases, locally, there is even mass trapping of bark-eating insects.
>> A great effort is being made to remove dead/dry trees, in order to prevent, locally and temporarily, the development of large populations of bark-eating insects, which in these cases can also infect healthy trees.
>> In several areas, where there is dense reforestation under the Rural Development Program, thinning has been taking place for several years. That is, stunted trees are removed in dense places, so that the available moisture can be used more efficiently by the healthy plants that remain. With this forestry measure, their vitality is improved and they can better deal with drought and drought, but also in general with the ongoing climate change.
>>In low-altitude areas (semi-mountainous and lowland), which many years ago were reforested with rough pine and became dead, they are enriched with dry-resistant shrubs, which grow locally in each area.
Removal of dried or dangerous trees
On the question regarding the removal of dried or dangerous trees, the minister states that the Department of Forests has established guidelines for the sale of timber and firewood, which apply to both standing live trees and dead/dry trees.
"In general," the minister continues, "when it is estimated that the volumes of timber are over 50 kg. (cubic centimeters) a tender process is carried out. Also, based on this protocol, professionals, who are registered in the register of the Department of Forests, i.e. licensed firewood sellers, who have renewed their license, can buy standing dry trees up to 20cc. through the invoice of the Department of Forests. Also, the public can apply for the concession/purchase of standing dry trees, to be felled for their personal use. The amount of firewood they are entitled to is from 3-5 km. (spatial measures). The harvesting season starts in October and ends in March, due to the fauna breeding season.
Every ten years the census of the pine trachea
To the question of whether there is planning for the systematic removal or management of trees that have been destroyed, especially in areas where there is an increased risk of fire, the minister states that the Department of Forests, especially this year, due to the large amount of round timber and firewood available, as well as due to the large number of necrosis, has long stopped the distribution of timber, through the process of tendering green fellings (standing live trees). In addition, following approval by the General Directorate of Environment of the Ministry, the period for the removal of dead/dry trees has been extended until May, with the consent of the Department of Environment and the Game and Fauna Fund. Priority is given to the implementation of the above measures in areas where the risk of forest fires starting and spreading is considered particularly high.
Answering another aspect of the question of the AKEL MP, the Minister of Agriculture states that every ten years, the Department of Forests conducts a forest census, specifically the rough pine, which covers almost 90% of the areas of state forests.
