Bark Beetle Epidemic in Spruce Forests

In 2018, the combination of record drought and warm temperatures triggered something foresters in the region had never seen: three generations of bark beetles active at the same time. The ONF estimated 400,000 cubic meters of spruce were attacked in the Grand Est that year alone. By early 2019, roughly half of all spruce in France showed signs of beetle damage, compared to a normal rate of about 15%. In communal forests like Lutzelhouse and Altkirch, no healthy timber has been harvested in years — only beetle-damaged salvage wood, which sells for 20–25% less than normal. The market has become saturated, and finding buyers is increasingly difficult. The entire Erlenwald spruce stand near Altkirch has been completely lost. As of 2025, the epidemic has shown signs of receding thanks to natural predators catching up. But experts warn that any warm, dry spring could trigger a new wave. The fundamental vulnerability remains as long as drought continues to stress the surviving trees.