Savoie Forests Battle Bark Beetle Infestation with Innovative Solutions

The bark beetle crisis affecting Savoie’s spruce forests since 2022 has prompted significant action from both government and industry. Since then, the infestation has led to the death of a considerable number of spruce trees, compelling the state and local councils to formulate strategies to mitigate the issue while promoting sustainable forestry management.

Remarkably, over half of the approximately 330,000 m³ of wood harvested in Savoie in 2024 was categorized as 'sanitary wood' — trees impacted by disease or infestation. This amounted to around 124,000 m³, demonstrating a critical escalation in response to the crisis, with early 2025 projections indicating continued rise in these figures.

In a practical application of addressing the crisis, a new alpine chalet being constructed in Beaufort is set to utilize bark beetle-infested spruce sourced from local forests. This project, intended to improve living conditions for seasonal workers, has garnered a state grant of €100,000 toward a total budget of €253,000.

The project embraces the structural viability of beetle-affected wood, which, despite its slight blue tint from fungal activity, retains similar strength to healthy timber when harvested promptly. The Pôle Excellence Bois is actively promoting the use of this timber, aiming to bolster awareness among industry stakeholders and facilitate its incorporation into construction.

Moreover, a crisis cell formed in May 2024, comprising both public and private sector representatives, aims to ensure a cohesive approach in combating the bark beetle threat while maintaining sustainable forest practices across Savoie’s expansive 217,000 hectares of woodland, where 44% is publicly held, supporting around 900 businesses and 3,500 jobs within the wood sector.