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Kassel (dpa / lhe) - drought and beetles have damaged Hesse's forests - but the current cold doesn't bother them.
"This is actually not a problem for the plants in the forest," said André Schulenberg from the Hessen-Forst State Office in Kassel of the German Press Agency.
Frost is a "completely normal natural phenomenon that nature also needs".
However, forest animals such as foxes, wild boars or red deer could face difficulties in the face of snow and ice.
The frost is not a problem for insects - "and unfortunately not for the bark beetle either".
The beetle has caused severe damage and clear-cutting areas in the Hessian forest in recent years.
Thick, heavy snow led to snow break in some places in the forest in the past few days and weeks, reported Schulenberg.
The Taunus, for example, is affected.
Treetops have broken off and are scattered in the forest.
The extent of the damage is still unclear.
It is now important and a time-consuming challenge to find these places before the beetle season begins.
"These treetops are great food for the bark beetle."
Forest visitors can help deer and other animals survive the freezing temperatures well, said the expert.
"In these weather conditions you should be particularly careful to stay on the paths so as not to scare animals."
In order to save energy, they switch to the back burner, rest a lot and feed on fat reserves.
If they are disturbed and startled, it costs them energy, according to Schulenberg, who heads the forest technology, forest protection and hunting division at the state enterprise.
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© dpa-infocom, dpa: 210213-99-423104 / 2
Information about Hessen Forst about the Hessian forest